THE QUEEN OF QUINTESSENCE

TESSA HALE

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Epilogue

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Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Acknowledgments

Also By Tessa Hale

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Copyright © 2022 by Tessa Hale. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover Design: Deranged Doctor

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1

THE FAINT HOWLING sound tugged at me, as if it were pulling me towards consciousness. The closer I got, the louder it became.

Someone cursed.

“Is Riven doing this?” a feminine voice asked, worry filling her tone.

I knew that voice. Some part of my brain tried to connect it with the person it belonged to, but I couldn’t quite get there.

A deeper voice answered, “His power shouldn’t be reaching this far.”

For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of the wind.

“Maybe this was a mistake…”

The male voice let out a growl. “You doubt me?”

“N-no, it’s just—they said she strengthens their power. If this is what we’re experiencing here, I can’t imagine what it’s like at Kingwood.”

“She won’t strengthen them for long. Go walk the property, make sure no one’s nosing around.”

“Of course,” the female voice answered.

A bit of the haziness lifted as I tried to pin down those voices. I knew them, I was sure. But I needed to be able to see. I struggled to open my eyes, but they were so heavy. As if tiny weights lay on the lashes.

The howling picked up, rattling the windows and walls. The ground trembled.

The man let out another curse and then a crash sounded, followed by the splintering of wood.

It was jarring enough to force my eyes open. The images came in snapshots. A shattered wooden chair lying on the floor. A bedroom with faded wallpaper. A man facing the window.

My breaths sped up as I took in his profile. Dark hair. Tanned skin. Aiden.

Nausea swept through me. I wasn’t sure if it was in response to seeing the man who had almost killed Riven, almost killed me. Or if it was a reaction to whatever drug I’d been doused with.

Anxiety spiked at the reminder that Aiden wasn’t alone. There was a woman who had helped him. The one who had gotten me in the library.

My hand instinctively reached for the knife Kai had given me. I’d taken to hanging the sheath on the long necklace Phoenix had given me, where Riven’s and Atlas’s rings also rested. It lay just beneath my shirt, against my heart.

I moved slowly, not wanting Aiden to know I was awake. But as I did so, my wrists caught. Bound. I tugged at the rope. There was no give at all.

I let a million mental curses fly and then stretched my fingers so that they could slip beneath my shirt. They closed around the metal of the necklace, pulling the sheath closer. But when I reached for the blade’s hilt, there was nothing there. Only air.

“Do you really think I wouldn’t check you for weapons?” Aiden scoffed.

My gaze flew to him, and I swallowed hard.

“It was the first thing I did.” His eyes roamed over me in a way that turned my stomach. “The search wasn’t a hardship though. I can see why my brother is so partial to you.”

The swirling nausea intensified, and my fingers tightened around the necklace.

Aiden rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to take your talismans. I don’t want you to keel over on me before you’ve proved your usefulness.”

My insides twisted and cramped. “And just what am I useful for?”

He should’ve killed me already. That had been his plan before. End me so Phoenix wouldn’t be quite so powerful. So Aiden had a prayer of taking him down.

Anger sparked in Aiden’s dark eyes. They were similar to Phoenix’s, but they didn’t have the same depth. “You really fucked things up in the forest. Now I have no way of getting on the Kingwood campus. No way of getting Phoenix.” An ugly grin spread across Aiden’s face. “So, I’m going to bring him to me.”

My fingers spasmed around my necklace, the bits of metal digging so deeply into my palm I was sure it had drawn blood. “I’m bait.”

The grin stretched wider. “But you’re a little too pretty to do the trick I want…”

Panic zinged through me as I struggled to sit up. My reaction was instant, trying to pull the magic from within to fight Aiden off with everything I had.

Air swirled around the room as Aiden laughed. “Sorry, Little Aether. That rope there is elemental rope. It cuts you off from all your power.”

The air shoved me back into the wall, hard. The force of it had me seeing stars. “They’ll kill you.”

Aiden simply shrugged. “They can try.”

“Do you really think that your father will let you take the throne after this? I’m sure he’s already cut you off from the line of succession.”

Sparks flew around Aiden. “He won’t have a choice. I’ll be all he has left.”

The little I’d gotten to know the King of Ash, he wouldn’t care about losing his family lineage. He wouldn’t let a monster take hold of his kingdom.

“You haven’t thought this through—”

The blow came out of nowhere, so fast I didn’t have time to block it. Aiden’s fist cracked across my cheekbone so hard, I flew back onto the mattress.

“Shut up. You don’t know a damn thing.”

I focused on my breaths, trying to force air in and out of my lungs as pain seared through me.

“That’s better,” he said, cracking his neck. “You need to watch your mouth, Aura. I can make this easier on you or harder.”

Aiden had completely lost it. He thought I wouldn’t fight back as he tried to use me to lure Phoenix to his death? Possibly Kai, Riven, and Atlas, too?

Just thinking their names had pain flaring to life in my chest. I reached out with my mind, trying to send a message to them. I’d only managed to connect with Riven and Atlas before, but I tried for all of them. Guys? Can you hear me?

There was nothing in response. I pushed the message harder. Still nothing. Maybe I was too far away. Or the ropes could be blocking that, too. But Aiden had said it blocked elemental magic. My aether magic was different from that.

Aiden snickered. “Trying to access your fire again, Little Aether? It’s not going to work.”

I studied him carefully. He didn’t seem to know about my ability to contact some of the members of my bond. He wouldn’t have tried to kill me so close to campus before.

“Where are we?”

Aiden shook his head. “Planning your escape? I hate to break it to you, but we are far, far away. Phoenix will only come after I send him some lovely photos of you.”

He slipped a hand into his pocket and pulled something out. The metal glinted in the afternoon light as he slid the brass knuckles onto his fingers. “I’m afraid this might hurt a little, but it’s necessary.”

I tried to scramble to my feet, but the moment I moved, Aiden’s air shoved me down and held me in place. I thrashed and fought as hard as I could. I screamed out for my guys. But nothing helped.

The first blow landed just below my eye. Fiery pain bloomed, and I couldn’t stop my cry.

“Shut up. You deserve this. That fireball almost took my eye,” Aiden gritted out.

I’d seen the bandage taking up much of his cheek and pride surged in me, knowing that I’d been the one to inflict the damage.

All thoughts of pride flew out of my mind as Aiden’s knuckles connected with my jaw. Blood flew from my mouth, spraying across the white bedspread.

“Aiden,” a voice cried.

He whirled. “I told you. There is pain in justice.”

The familiar figure hovered in the doorway. She’d help me. She had to.

Her gaze moved from me to Aiden. “Don’t hurt her more than you have to.”

And with that, Kerry turned to walk away.

Kerry. My roommate. My friend. The first person I’d trusted at Kingwood. I should’ve known better.

The moment the door closed, Aiden’s lips twitched. “Sorry, Aura. We’re just getting started…”

2

A COOL CLOTH pressed against my cheek, and I moaned. Everything hurt. Everything above my shoulders, that was. Aiden hadn’t bothered with anything that wouldn’t show on a photo. Small mercies.

“Take a drink,” Kerry said softly.

Any semblance of pride had left me by the sixth blow of Aiden’s fists. I opened my mouth and accepted the water. The split in my bottom lip opened as I did so, but I didn’t care. I was so thirsty, it felt as if my tongue might crack too.

I drank greedily, following the stream of water as Kerry pulled it away.

“That’s enough. I don’t want you to throw up.”

My head fell back to the mattress. Landing on the pillow felt as if I’d connected with cement. Pain flooded my skull in a steady drumbeat.

“Why?” I croaked.

It was the only question I could think to ask. So simple. Yet with the power to rip my world apart.

Kerry stared down at me. “You don’t know what he’s been through.”

“Aiden?”

She nodded. “His family has been horrible to him. Casting him aside time after time. And Phoenix is so much worse. Torturing him. Throwing his power in Aiden’s face. Telling Aiden he’ll cast him out after he becomes king.”

My brows pulled together, but I instantly regretted the action as fresh agony flared. That wasn’t Phoenix. He wouldn’t have done that to Aiden. “Phoenix only wants peace with his brother.”

Kerry huffed. “If you believe that, you really have drunk the Kool-Aid.”

“Phoenix isn’t the one who tried to kill me. He’s not the one who kidnapped me and just beat me unconscious.”

Redness crept into Kerry’s face. “Aiden wasn’t going to kill you, he just needed to get to Phoenix—”

I let out a scoffing sound.

Kerry pushed to her feet. “It’s true.”

“And are you going to tell me a ghost did this?” I gestured to my face with my bound hands.

She flushed deeper. “There are casualties in war. You were hurt and I’m sorry for that, but it was what had to be done.”

I wasn’t the one who had drunk the Kool-Aid. It was Kerry. Whatever bullshit Aiden had spilled, she was soaking it up.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I studied the woman who I’d thought was my friend. The first person to show me true kindness at Kingwood. How had this happened?

“Tell me why you believe him.”

It wouldn’t help to tell her all the reasons she was wrong unless I understood why she thought she was right.

Kerry was quiet for a moment, as if testing me to see if I truly wanted to know. “You don’t know what it’s like. Being the member of your family that’s always seemed less than. An inconvenience. A burden.”

An ache settled deep in my chest. “Then maybe you can explain it to me.”

“I’ve been pushed around every day for as long as I can remember. The kids at school. Even my own brother.”

“Your brother?” That ache deepened. No matter what Kerry was going along with now, I still had empathy for that little girl who had been hurt.

She bit her lip and nodded. “He always said he was doing it so I’d toughen up, that my powers would grow. But he really just liked to hurt me.”

That sounded a lot like Aiden to me, if I was honest. But Kerry wouldn’t be able to hear that now.

“I’m sorry, Kerry.” I hoped that she could hear the truth in my words. “This world is so obsessed with how many elements you control, how strong your affinities, that they’ve forgotten that there are people behind those abilities.”

“You’re right. But Aiden sees me.”

A lead weight settled in my stomach, followed quickly by a fresh wave of nausea. I had a feeling I knew where this was headed.

I swallowed, searching for the words that wouldn’t set Kerry off. “You two became friends?”

Her cheeks flushed and this time, it wasn’t with anger. “I guess.” She nibbled her lip. “He’s always been nice to me. Smiled and said hello when everyone else ignored me. But then he saw that I was struggling in combat class. You were so busy with the royals, you didn’t see how hard it was for me.”

A burn lit in my throat. “I’m sorry. I should’ve been paying closer attention. I should’ve checked in more.”

Guilt burrowed deep. I had been a shit friend lately. I’d tried to help Kerry in combat class, but I’d been distracted trying to protect myself from Drue, Xena, and Aiden. And I’d been drowning in the aether discovery, in figuring out this new bond that I was a part of. Kerry knew very little about any of that, so to her, I’d just been ignoring our friendship.

“I get that you’ve had a lot going on. But I needed someone. And Aiden was there.”

I bit the inside of my cheek hard to keep from saying something I shouldn’t.

“He started tutoring me after school. And I got better.”

“You did. You’re kicking ass now.” As much as I thought Aiden was the spawn of Satan, he was clearly a good teacher.

Kerry grinned. “I am. And it’s because of Aiden. He was so kind to me. He wasn’t mean or cruel when I didn’t get something. He’d go over it again and again until I understood.”

“And you two got closer.”

She ducked her head. “We started talking during our sessions. We’ve both been through so much. Both had families that despised us. We get each other. Aiden started to open up. To tell me about what Phoenix had done.” Kerry’s eyes blazed. “He’s awful, Aura. You don’t have the first idea who you’re bonded to.”

I pushed up against the pillows. “Don’t you think that Aiden might be skewing the story a bit?”

Her hands fisted at her sides. “He’s not. Aiden is a good man who has been through hell, thanks to that monster.”

“If he was such a good man, would he have asked you to hurt your best friend? He’s using you, Kerry. Using you because of your closeness to me.”

It was the wrong thing to say. The anger in her eyes should’ve fried me on the spot. “I might not be some special unicorn like you. But I am lovable to someone. And I’ll do everything I can to protect him.”

She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door in her wake.

The sound echoed off the walls of the mostly empty room. Kerry wouldn’t see the truth, not when Aiden had woven his web so expertly. There was no hope of help from her.

I was on my own.

3

A BURN LIT behind my eyes as the knowledge truly sank in. Alone. Totally and completely alone.

I’d felt that before. The pressure of helping my family, taking care of Charlie when Janine was working herself to the bone to keep us afloat. Not being able to share my burdens with her because I didn’t want to add to her load.

But after I’d come to Kingwood, my walls had slowly come down. I’d found people who had my back. Kai, Atlas, Phoenix, Riven. They’d shown me time and again that I wasn’t alone. That our burdens were lighter when we shared them with each other. That we were stronger when we fought our opponents as one.

Tears filled my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I would carry the lessons they’d all taught me now. I would find a way out of this and back to them.

Swinging my legs over the bed, I pushed to my feet. The world around me swam. Everything blurred as it took on a hazy quality.

I pressed a hand to the wall to steady myself. Shit. Aiden had given me a concussion. And because I didn’t have contact with my bond, it wasn’t healing. As much as I wanted to sink back onto the bed, I refused to let myself.

Breathing deep, I fought to stay upright. After about a minute, the world righted itself again. I moved slower this time, taking tiny testing steps. My head ached, but I didn’t feel like I was going to pass out.

I crossed to the door and tested the knob, my ropes pulling as I did. Locked. Of course.

Slowly, I turned around and surveyed the room. The only furniture in the room was the bed and the now shattered chair. There were two windows, and I sent up a silent prayer that they were easily opened. I didn’t give a damn that we were on the second floor. I’d jump and hope for the best.

As I moved towards the closest window, my breath caught. The view was unlike anything I’d ever seen. The house we were in sat atop a grassy cliff. The lush green dropped off into the ocean as if the land had been swallowed by the sea.

Waves crashed against the jagged rocks below, as I searched my mind for where this might be. I still didn’t know much about the layout of the elemental world, and I wasn’t supposed to take a geography class until next semester. But wherever it was couldn’t be close to Kingwood. It was a completely different landscape.

My fingers closed around the window latch, twisting it open. Pressing all my weight into it, I tried to lift the frame. It didn’t move a millimeter.

I cursed and ran my fingers over the wood as I studied it. My gaze caught on a hint of silver. The head of a nail. Aiden had nailed the windows shut.

The burn lit again behind my eyes. I didn’t have a prayer of getting one of these windows open without a hammer.

“Breathe, Aura,” I mouthed the words as a silent prayer. “Think. You can do this.”

I reached for my magic again, trying with everything I could. I remembered what that flood of power felt like as it filled me. Nothing. Not even a wisp of smoke or mist of water.

The wind howled again, and I pressed my cheek against the windowpane. The cool glass was a balm to my abused flesh. And the sound was a comfort of sorts, knowing that the sound came from Riven. As if his soul was calling out to mine.

I forced myself to straighten, to keep searching. As I scanned the space, I stopped on the destroyed chair. I hurried towards the pieces and sank to the floor. The move was too fast, and the room spun.

Pressing my hands to the floor, I breathed deep, trying to right myself again. After a few moments, the worst of it had passed, and I opened my eyes again. I studied the pieces around me, my fingers running over each one until I came across one that was especially jagged.

I picked it up and braced it between my legs. Lifting my bound hands, I ran the rope across it in a testing movement. The tiny fibers of the rope caught on the wood.

Hope flickered to life in my chest as I continued the movements over and over. It didn’t take long for an ache to take root in my muscles. I had to grip the wood piece so tightly with my legs that they trembled. And my arms felt as if they weighed a ton each.

I let my arms fall for a moment and fought to catch my breath. My gaze landed on the broken piece of seat. My fingers ran over the edge. I cursed. It had already dulled.

The burn behind my eyes was back, but I only used it to fuel my fight. Instead of falling apart, I searched for another makeshift saw of sorts. Lifting piece after piece, none of them seemed like they would do the trick.

Finally, a sharp edge pricked my skin. I’d never been more relieved to feel that flicker of pain. This one was a broken-off chair leg and the jagged part wasn’t very long, but I’d do what I could with it.

I braced the leg between my thighs and got to work again. While I sawed, I searched for my guys.

Riven, can you hear me?

I swore the howling of the wind intensified. As if he could feel me reaching out to him. But there was no answer in my mind.

Anyone? Aiden has me. I’m trying to get myself free, but he’s got me locked in a room and bound in some elemental rope.

There was still no reply. But I kept talking to them. Telling them every step I was taking as I made it. Somehow, speaking into the nothingness helped. It made me feel a little less alone as I dragged the rope across the sharpened edge of the wood over and over again.

As I sawed, my hand slipped. Pain seared my hand and I gasped. The wood had torn my flesh and blood dripped down my arm.

Holy hell, that hurt. Shit, shit, shit. You guys would be so pissed right now.

Aura?

I froze, everything in me going still. Had I imagined it? Conjured up that voice by sheer will alone? Was it possible to go insane in less than twenty-four hours?

Aura? The voice was more insistent this time. Is that you?

Tears filled my eyes and there was nothing I could do to keep them from falling.

Phee?

4

THE TEARS slid down my cheeks and fell off my chin, landing on my mangled hand. Phoenix’s voice sounded too good. That liquid smoke of his timbre too amazing to be real.

Is it you? There was a croak to the words, as if I’d actually spoken them out loud.

Where are you? he barked.

I don’t know. I pushed to my feet, the chair leg falling to the floor with a clatter. In this house that’s on a cliff. The grass is really green, and the ocean is below.

The Cliffs of Caldova, Phoenix said instantly. I’m on my way. I’ll tell the guys. There was the briefest moment of silence. Who took you?

Phoenix’s question carried a vibration that I could feel even in my own mind. I didn’t want to answer. Didn’t want to tell him that his brother had betrayed him yet again.

Aura?

The hint of panic in Phoenix’s voice had me answering quickly.

Kerry. She was helping Aiden.

There was nothing then. Not a hint of a sound inside my mind. But I swore I could feel Phoenix’s rage.

He’ll pay.

Don’t, Phee. Don’t do this because of me.

I didn’t think I could live with myself if Phoenix took vengeance on his brother because he had hurt me. I didn’t want that on my conscience. Because taking Aiden’s life would be a black mark on Phoenix’s very soul. It didn’t matter how evil Aiden was, he was also Phoenix’s brother.

You think I would let him get away with this? With trying to hurt you? Trying to take you from me? This ends, and it ends now.

Wait, I begged. It’s what he wants.

Phoenix was quiet for a moment. What do you mean?

He took me to lure you here. I think he was going to text in the next day or so and tell you our location. I don’t know what his plan is, but I know that if you show up here alone, you’ll be outnumbered. I don’t know who else is helping Aiden, but I’m bound with some damn elemental rope that keeps me from accessing my magic.

A low growl filled my mind. That rope is barbaric. He has no honor.

I almost snorted at that. Of course, Aiden had no honor. He refused to meet any of us head-to-head because he knew he would lose. Instead, he opted for tricks and traps, and worse, employing others to do his dirty work.

People like Kerry.

My heart clenched at the reminder. It was one of the worst blows Aiden had leveled at me, turning my friend against me. And I didn’t think he’d even realized it. She was drunk on his attention, and there was nothing I could do to make her see the truth.

Aura? Phoenix’s voice was gentle now, that smoky rasp curling around me.

He took Kerry. He warped her mind so much that she doesn’t care if all of us die.

Phoenix didn’t say a word, but I could feel his anguish on my behalf. I’m so sorry, Aura. He’s always had a way of manipulating people. I should’ve known he might target her.

It’s not on you. I wouldn’t let Phoenix put this on his shoulders too. Not when this was the responsibility of only one person.

We’re going to figure this out. I’m on my way. Just hold on for a few more minutes.

Panic surged through me. No. Wait for the rest of the guys.

I can’t. I need to get to you.

Phee, please. I let all the fear swirling inside me bleed into my voice. I won’t survive if something happens to you. I need you to be okay. Give us our best chance. Wait for Kai, Atlas, and Riven.

I didn’t know who else Aiden might have helping him, but I had to hope that if all my mates were together, we could defeat whatever lackeys he might have in place. I could hold on until then.

Phoenix didn’t answer right away.

Please. Don’t make me fear for you too. I’ll be okay for a while longer. Promise.

Aura. There was such pain in Phoenix’s voice. I can feel you hurting.

I couldn’t help the sharp intake of breath. He could feel me hurting in the same way I could feel his anguish earlier. The Quintessence bond was deepening. What had Quincy said? That this type of bond was forged in fire. In times of great struggle. That was certainly true.

It’s not that bad.

Don’t lie to me, Pip.

My heart cracked at my nickname on his lips. I’ve been kicked around a bit, but it’s nothing serious. Just as long as I didn’t have a brain bleed.

He’s going to hurt for harming a single hair on your head.

If anyone makes him hurt, it’ll be me. Justice. An ass-kicking that was mine alone. I just need you safe.

An audible breath sounded in my mind. Okay. I’m going to portal to the Torrent lands. I’ll be there soon, but I’ll wait for Kai, Atlas, and Riven. They’re already on their way, but they’re traveling from farther away.

Some of the tension bled out of me. Thank you.

Aura?

I’m here.

I love you more than I thought possible. I’ve never felt anything like it. You’re that eternal flame that lives inside me. A part of my very soul.

My eyes burned. Don’t make me cry while I’m trying to channel my inner badass.

A rough chuckle sounded in my head. Sorry about that.

I love you too, Phee. I didn’t know my heart was capable of feeling this much.

I’ll be with you soon.

I could tell he didn’t want to release this mental hold. That he was terrified of severing the connection.

Go. I’ll be waiting.

Love you, Aura.

And then he was gone.

The room felt so much emptier now. Even though I’d been alone in it all this time.

I let out a shuddering breath as I stared down at my hands. Blood still dripped from one, leaving droplets on the floor. My uniform was covered in the red, sticky substance.

I cursed. The guys were going to lose their minds when they saw me. I’d never wished for a fresh set of clothes more. If Kerry came back, maybe I could convince her to let me borrow some from her.

The sound of a key sliding into a lock ricocheted around the room, and I spun to face the door. The action cost, my vision doubling.

Aiden stepped into the room, and his eyes widened as he took me in. Then he began to laugh. “Been busy while I’ve been gone?”

My jaw clenched as rage surged somewhere deep.

“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

I didn’t make a sound. What was there to say? I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.

Anger flashed in Aiden’s dark eyes. “Speak when you’re spoken to.”

I refused.

He was in front of me in a flash, grabbing me by the hair and throwing me to the bed. “You will show me the respect I deserve. I am the future ruler of the Kingdom of Ash.”

No, he was a maniacal narcissist with a tiny dick complex.

Pain pulsed in my skull as I hit the mattress, and I couldn’t hold back the cry that escaped my lips.

“That’s better,” Aiden gritted out.

Aura? What happened? I can feel your pain.

Phoenix’s voice filled my head, but I couldn’t respond. All I could do was struggle to breathe. The pain was too much.

Aiden sneered. “Maybe I’ll just have to work on your appearance a little more to get you to speak.”

I’m okay. But the words sounded less than convincing even to my own ears.

You’re not. Tell me what’s happening.

Aiden bent over me, grabbing me by the hair and yanking me up. “This blood gives me an idea. Maybe I need to get a little more creative with my wounds.” He ripped my shirt around the collar, exposing my shoulder. “Maybe I’ll carve you up right along here…”

My mind must’ve somehow recounted the words to Phoenix in my panicked state because a roar filled my mind. I winced, flinching back at that rage.

I’ll kill him, and I’ll wear his bones as a reminder that no one harms you. Ever.

5

AIDEN LAUGHED, the sound cruel and ugly as he hauled me to my feet. “Finally learning who you should bow down to, Little Aether?”

If he only knew. I hadn’t flinched at Aiden’s threats but at his brother’s fury.

Phoenix? Panic bled into my voice.

There was no response. But I could feel him now, drawing closer. But he was alone.

I’m okay. Wait for the guys.

Still nothing. Just the pulse of fury.

Aiden shook me hard. “Speak!”

“Let me go,” I growled.

A smile spread across Aiden’s mouth. “I don’t think I will.”

He pulled a knife from his pocket. Kai’s knife. The one Aiden had stolen from me. “I think we need a little more blood to make the impact I’m going for.”

He tore my shirt a little more, then froze. “What. Is. That?”

The expression on Aiden’s face was a mixture of so many things, it was difficult to place them all. Confusion. Disbelief. Disgust. And maybe a hint of fear?

I glanced down, following his line of sight. A hint of the silver markings that streaked across my chest peeked through. I let a million expletives fly in my head, wanting to cast them all at Aiden. He was the last person I wanted to know about what made me more unique than even an aether. I didn’t know how he might use that information, but it couldn’t be good.

Aiden moved so quickly that I didn’t have a prayer of defending myself. He shoved me against the wall with such force, my vision went black for several seconds and my legs buckled. Aiden simply held me up with a hand around my throat. “I asked you a question. What are these markings?”

He pulled my shirt farther down, exposing more of the silver lightning strikes that had been left behind when my bond had healed me from that bullet. A bullet Aiden had put in motion.

I struggled to breathe, to take in Aiden’s face. He knew. I’m not sure how I was so certain, but I knew it in my bones. I had two choices. Deny, deny, deny. Or own the power that hummed in my very being.

I was so tired of hiding who I was. Who I loved. The incredible gifts that our bond had bestowed.

A smile curved my mouth. “You know what they are.”

His grip on my throat tightened. “I-it’s impossible.”

“It’s a Quintessence bond. More powerful than you could ever imagine. And my mates are going to end you for what you’ve done.”

Anger flared to life in his eyes. “They won’t get the chance—”

My knee came up so fast, Aiden didn’t have a chance to block it. I connected with his groin with all the force I could muster. Aiden’s eyes widened for a split second before he crumpled to the floor.

But I was already moving, running for the door and ignoring the way the room swam. It took two tries to grasp the doorknob, but I finally succeeded. I let out a whoosh of air as it opened. Aiden hadn’t bothered to lock it behind him.

I charged down the hall, my head on a swivel as Aiden’s moans sounded behind me, followed quickly by some extremely colorful cursing. As I reached the stairs, movement sounded behind me, and I knew Aiden was already up.

Running down the stairs, I caught sight of what had to be the front door.

“Aiden? Is everything okay?” Kerry called from another room downstairs.

My legs shook, but I pushed my muscles harder. It was my only hope.

“Stop her!” Aiden bellowed.

My fingers curled around the knob of the front door, and I twisted. The moment the fresh air hit my face, I nearly wept. But there was no time for tears. Aiden and Kerry were right behind me.

I ran down the front steps and into the grass. My gait was awkward, my injuries and bound hands throwing me off-balance. But I kept on pushing. I could see the faces of my bond in my mind. It was their image that spurred me on.

A figure appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. A vision of smoke and ash.

I collapsed into Phoenix’s hold, struggling to breathe, to speak. “They’re coming.”

Phoenix’s gaze swept over me, and suddenly, we were surrounded by flames. But I wasn’t scared because some part of me instantly recognized it was Phoenix’s fire. The inferno that would never harm me.

His nostrils flared. “What. Did. He. Do. To. You?”

“I’m okay,” I wheezed.

“You’re not.” He pulled a knife from his belt and cut the rope binding my hands.

The fury in Phoenix’s words should’ve terrified me, but instead, it was a comfort. A measure of just how deeply he loved me.

A crack pierced the air and Phoenix threw me to the ground, rolling me behind a boulder.

“You don’t get to win. Not again,” Aiden yelled.

Phoenix’s hands ran over me in a panic. “Were you hit?”

“No. I’m fine.” Only I wasn’t. The double vision was back, and it didn’t show hints of going anywhere.

“Come fight me like a man, you coward. Hiding the same way you did while our sister was murdered.”

I sucked in a breath. It was too much. There was nothing that would keep Phoenix from ending Aiden now.

“Stay,” Phoenix commanded as he leapt to his feet.

Aiden was ready for Phoenix’s fury. The moment he stepped from behind the rock, Aiden squeezed the trigger on his weapon. Again and again. But it was no use.

Phoenix’s fire turned each bullet to ash mid-air.

Aiden let out a scream and opted for his fire, conjuring a ball of it in his hand.

Phoenix grinned, but the expression was feral. “Mistake, little brother. You’re no match for me. You never were.”

“Don’t hurt him, you monster,” Kerry cried.

Phoenix used his air gift and shoved her against the side of the house, holding her in place as she kicked and screamed. But it was as if it took no effort at all.

Aiden hurled the fireball at Phoenix, but Phoenix simply deflected it by shooting dirt into the air.

“Surrender now, and I’ll take pity on you. Maybe I won’t skin you alive and roast you over a fire.”

Kerry wailed. But rage flashed in Aiden’s eyes. “You’ll never rule.”

He moved with more speed than I thought possible, making a dash towards the rock I was hiding behind.

Phoenix’s hold on Kerry faltered as he ran for Aiden. He tackled Aiden to the ground, and they rolled towards the cliff’s edge. I was on my feet in a flash, running after them as they hurtled closer and closer, fighting with everything they had.

But I was too slow.

Kerry screamed and it mixed with my own.

Then a figure was sailing over the cliff and to the rocks below.

6

MY ARMS WRAPPED AROUND PHOENIX.

“You’re okay. You’re here,” I said the words over and over like a whispered prayer.

Phoenix held me close, his body shuddering as smoke swirled around us. “Aura.”

A wail split the air, and Phoenix sat up in a flash.

Kerry teetered at the edge of the cliff, screaming and crying. One wrong gust of air and she’d go right over.

“Stop her,” I begged.

Phoenix lifted a hand and air swirled around Kerry, pushing her back from the edge. A second later, she went limp, and Phoenix lowered her to the ground.

“Phee…”

“She’s not dead. Even if she deserved it,” he growled. “I just compressed a pressure point. She’s unconscious.”

The breath I’d been holding released, as some of the fear bled out of me.

Phoenix strode towards the edge of the cliff. I followed behind him, scared of what I might see but needing to support him in whatever way I could.

My hands fisted in Phoenix’s shirt as we peered over. Waves crashed against the cliff’s side. With each vicious ebb and flow of the tide, rocks appeared and disappeared in a steady rhythm. Aiden was gone.

“Could he have survived?” I croaked.

If it was possible, we had to search for Aiden. We couldn’t leave him to drown.

Phoenix shook his head, his expression going stormy. “It’s not possible. The height’s too great.” His jaw tensed. “There are too many rocks below.”

I wrapped my arms around him. “I’m so sorry.”

Phoenix barely moved, his muscles stone beneath my touch.

Shouts sounded behind me and my head flew up. Three men ran towards us. Men I would know anywhere. The white-blond of Riven’s hair in the fading light. The gold of Kai’s skin. Atlas’s broad form.

A burn lit in my throat, so intense I thought it might turn me to ash.

They were on me in a flash. Hands roving over my form as they checked for injuries. One voice tripped over the next in a demand for information. But I couldn’t get out a single word. All I could think about was that I had them again.

Relief swirled around me, but as it did, the adrenaline fueling me subsided, and pain set in.

“Aura?” Atlas framed my face in his hands. “Talk to me.”

But I couldn’t. Darkness edged my vision. My head hurt too much.

Voices shouted, but I couldn’t grab hold of the words of a single one of them. Instead, the darkness swallowed me whole.

HEAT COCOONED ME. It was comforting. The last thing I wanted to do was leave it. But I was thirsty. So parched, it felt as if I could down a gallon of water and go back for seconds.

My eyelids fluttered, light filtering in and making me wince.

A gentle hand ghosted over my face as the scent of salt air filled my senses.

“You’re safe,” Kai whispered. “I’ve got you.”

His face came into focus, blurry snapshots until I got the complete picture. “Hi.”

My voice was more rasp than an actual word.

Kai reached over to the nightstand and grabbed a cup that had a straw in it. “Here. Small sips.”

He positioned the straw between my lips, and I pulled in liquid. The water tasted like heaven. But before long, he was tugging it away again. “Let’s see how you do with that for now.”

“What happen—?” I didn’t even get the entire word out before everything came back to me in a cascade of memories. Kerry. Aiden. The cliffs.

“You’re safe,” Kai assured me again, brushing his lips across my temple.

But when he pulled back, I could see the strain in his face, the dark circles under his eyes. My body went ramrod straight. “What’s wrong? Is everyone okay?”

Kai’s throat worked. “You almost died.”

My eyes flared. “What?”

“There was a bleed in your brain. Sariah didn’t think you would make it. Only the Quintessence bond saved you.”

And it had marked Kai. My charmer, my lover of life who never took anything too seriously. He had been scarred.

My hand slipped into his, our fingers interlocking. “I’m right here. I’m okay.”

His entire body shuddered as he wrapped himself around me. As if he could be a human shield that kept me safe from anything that might harm me. “I was so scared, Aura. I didn’t think we would be strong enough.”

I knew it was bad when Kai used my given name instead of Pip. I burrowed deeper into his hold, trying to reassure him with my body as much as my words. “But you were strong enough.”

Kai held me close, his hand finding its way to my chest and resting over my heart. “I’ll never take the beat of this for granted.”

My hand lifted to his pec, feeling the steady rhythm, fierce and strong. “I won’t either.” I wouldn’t take a single moment with these men for granted.

The door to Kai’s bedroom opened and Atlas stepped inside, Riven on his heels. “How’s she doing? Any sign—”

Atlas’s words cut off as his gaze zeroed in on me. “She’s awake. You’re awake.”

The second statement was louder and spurred him into action. He strode towards me, his long, muscled legs eating up the space.

But Riven had taken advantage of Atlas’s stunned silence and darted around him to the bed. His hands came instantly to my face, his forehead pressing to mine. “Aura.”

Then he moved to nuzzle my neck, breathing me in. “You’re here.”

Atlas all but shoved Riven out of the way. “How do you feel? Have you had anything to drink? Sariah said that we should start you on soup. No solid foods for a bit. But in a day or two—”

I cut Atlas off by pressing my lips to his. “I’m okay,” I whispered.

Atlas shuddered. “You almost weren’t.”

Riven let out a low growl at that.

I pulled back, taking in the three guys around me. “Sariah helped you?”

Shadows danced across Riven’s eyes. “We didn’t have a choice. You were so far gone. You started seizing, and I wasn’t sure if our magic could help that kind of thing. Kai had her meet us here. It was a risk but…”

“Worth it,” Atlas grunted.

“I trust her,” I said.

There was something innately good about the healer. And even though we weren’t ready for the world to know about my Quintessence status, they were going to find out anyway.

“She’s fond of you,” Kai said, as a hint of a smile played at his lips for the first time since I’d woken up.

Riven shook his head. “She’ll be back to check on you any minute. She’s been quite the devoted caretaker.”

My gaze traveled to the door at the reminder of someone else who was missing. “Where’s Phoenix?”

I needed to feel the presence of all my guys. To touch them. To reassure myself that we were all safe and whole.

Riven and Kai exchanged a look, and dread settled in my stomach.

I pushed up against the pillows, ignoring the ache pulsing in my head. “What’s wrong? Is he hurt?”

Kai shook his head. “Phoenix is fine.” He struggled for words, as a hint of anger flared in his eyes. “He’s just not here…”

7

I STIRRED the soup with my spoon, staring down at the bowl as if it would give me all the answers I needed.

“Aren’t you hungry?” Atlas asked, concern lacing his tone.

Guilt pricked at me. The soup he’d made was delicious, but the few bites I’d taken sat like a lead weight in my stomach. Phoenix still hadn’t returned.

“I’m going to kick fire boy’s ass,” Riven grumbled, as he scooted in closer to me on one side of the bed.

“I’ll help,” Kai muttered.

Worry creased Atlas’s brow as he looked between us all. “Let’s all cut Phoenix a little slack.” He leaned forward, taking the bowl from my hands and placing it back on the nightstand. “This isn’t about you. You know that, right?”

“I know.” It didn’t change that it hurt. Phoenix should be with us, receiving comfort from our bond, not hiding away with his demons.

The thought had me throwing back the covers and moving towards the end of the bed.

“Pip…” Kai warned.

Riven stood, trailing behind me as I moved towards the closet. “Where are you going? You need to rest.”

I picked up a pair of fluffy boots from the floor and slid my feet inside. Someone had dressed me in a cozy sweatsuit while I’d been out and that was just going to have to be good enough. “I’m going to find Phoenix.”

“You’ve been unconscious for days. You need to take it easy,” Riven argued.

“I feel fine.” It was mostly true, other than a dull ache behind my eyes and a sense of fatigue.

Kai intercepted me on my way to the door. “You don’t even know where he is. Phoenix disappears when he gets in one of these moods.”

My chest clenched as I thought back to the first run-in I’d had with Phoenix. It was as if an entire lifetime had passed between then and now. “I’ve got a pretty good idea of where to look.”

Kai’s blue-green eyes swirled. “You know his hideout.”

I shrugged. “I’ll be back.” With a broody psychopath in tow, whether he liked it or not.

Opening the door, I started for the stairs. Atlas’s voice filtered out after me. “Go with her, I’ll clean up lunch.”

My gentle giant was the best. I didn’t wait for Kai and Riven. The truth was I didn’t want the company. Didn’t want them to see the worry and fear that ate away at me. The terror that maybe Phoenix blamed me for the loss of his brother.

I pulled open the front door and stepped outside. The guards gave me a wary look, but I ignored them, simply starting down the path. It was probably stupid, running ahead of Riven and Kai. But if someone messed with me after all I’d been through recently? I honestly pitied them. Because I would lose my shit.

Footsteps sounded behind me and I could feel Riven and Kai’s presence. I could see it in the face of every student we passed, too. Each one immediately looked away the second they caught sight of the two princes.

I hurried towards my old dorm, and my heart clenched as memories played in my mind of the first time I’d walked through these doors. Of the kindness that Kerry had shown me. Kerry, who was now locked in the same dungeon I’d been in. Kerry, who would stand trial for kidnapping, treason, and maybe even attempted murder.

I pushed thoughts of her down and headed for the familiar staircase, the one hidden at the back of the building. By the end of the first flight, my chest was heaving. The guys had said I’d only been out for a few days, but it felt as if I’d been in bed for a month.

Riven and Kai could’ve caught up with me easily, but they hung back, seeming to sense that I needed space for this. I paused on the landing, trying to catch my breath, then pushed on. By the time I reached the door to the roof, my lungs burned, and my head throbbed. Maybe I had been pushing things too much. Too late now.

I shoved the door open and stepped out into the sunlight. I knew Phoenix was there before I even saw him, that unearthly knowing that was the Quintessence bond. Moving in the direction I sensed him, I took a deep breath.

Phoenix sat on the corner of the building, his legs dangling over the side. My steps faltered as I caught sight of the expression on his face. Ravaged. That was the only word to describe it.

I didn’t let that or my fear stop me. Crossing to him, I lowered myself to the roof.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Phoenix rasped.

“Do you honestly think there’s anywhere else I’d want to be? You’re hurting. So, I’m with you.”

Phoenix didn’t say a word, but tension radiated from his body.

Fear dug its claws deeper into me. “Unless you don’t want me here.”

It hurt to say the words aloud, absolutely killed, but I had to know.

Phoenix jerked, his gaze jumping to me. “Why would you say that?”

I studied the man next to me, his dark hair buzzed close to his head, his golden skin inked with tattoos, those fathomless eyes. “Aiden. Do you blame me?”

Shock streaked across his face. “Why the hell would I blame you?”

I shrugged, not wanting to spell it out. Instead, I simply said, “You weren’t there when I woke up.”

Phoenix winced and gently pulled me into his arms. “I’m sorry, Pip. My head’s a mess. I needed some time to process.”

I soaked up his warmth, reveling in the feel. Phoenix was always a few degrees warmer than the other guys, maybe because his fire gift was so strong. “I don’t want you hurting alone. That’s not how this works. We have each other to lean on.”

Phoenix didn’t say anything for a bit as his hand trailed up and down my back. “I’m so sorry. I’ll never be able to forgive myself for what Aiden put you through.”

The little bit of peace that had found me in Phoenix’s embrace instantly fled. “We’ve been over this. Aiden’s actions aren’t your responsibility.”

Phoenix released me, his jaw ticking. “I should’ve dealt with him long ago. If I had…”

“You didn’t want to hurt your brother. That makes you a kind and caring person.”

“It makes me a fool,” he spat. “One that almost got you killed.”

“There was no way of knowing that Aiden would take it this far.”

Smoky shadows swirled around Phoenix. “I knew. I’ve always known how dark his obsession with me was. How deep his anger went. Yet I didn’t have the balls to do what needed to be done. To end him before it was too late.”

“Stop it.” My words had a bite to them. “Don’t talk about yourself like that. You’re not a monster because you didn’t want to kill your brother.” But Phoenix had anyway. Because of me.

Grief flashed in Phoenix’s onyx eyes as he shook his head. “I love you, Aura.”

My heart cracked wide open.

“But I don’t deserve you.”

Before the words had fully penetrated my brain, he was pushing off the side of the roof, landing with the help of his air gift. And then he was simply gone.

8

I STARED at the place where Phoenix had disappeared into the trees. As though if I didn’t move my eyes from the spot, he would somehow reappear.

He didn’t.

Footsteps sounded behind me, but I didn’t look up. Riven lowered himself to one side of me, Kai to the other.

Kai surveyed the area. “So, this is where he goes.”

Phoenix would probably go anywhere but here from now on. Anywhere I wasn’t.

Riven wove his fingers through mine and nuzzled my neck. “It’ll be okay.”

My breath hitched. “I don’t know about that.”

Worry creased Kai’s brow. “What did he say?”

“He’s blaming himself for not ending Aiden earlier.”

Riven sighed against my skin. “Idiot. None of us knew he would take it this far. And if he was going to truly go after anyone, we all thought it would be Phoenix.”

I kept searching the forest. “Aiden knew he was no match for Phoenix.”

Kai took my other hand, squeezing. “He’ll come around, Pip. Swear. He needs to brood for a few days and then he’ll come back to us.”

A pang lit through my chest. I couldn’t be away from Phoenix for days, let alone how long I worried it would be. “You guys didn’t see his face. He was…haunted.”

They were both quiet for a moment as we sat there.

“I’ll talk to him,” Riven assured me.

But I wasn’t sure that would do any good. Phoenix had made up his mind about how he saw the situation.

Kai pushed to his feet, keeping hold of my hand. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”

Unshed tears burned the backs of my eyes. I didn’t want to go home, not without Phoenix. But I nodded.

Kai and Riven helped me to my feet, and we made our way back towards Crown Hall. My muscles ached, but I didn’t mind the discomfort. It simply reminded me that I was still alive, that there was still so much to fight for.

“Want to go up to your room?” Kai asked as we stepped inside.

My steps faltered and I shook my head. “Can we go back to yours?”

It didn’t feel right to sleep in the bed that was supposed to be ours. Not until Phoenix had come back to us.

Kai’s expression softened, seeming to understand my train of thought. Whether he could sense them or just guessed, I didn’t know.

He scooped me into his arms and began climbing the stairs. “You know I love having you in my space.”

“What about me?” Riven shot back.

Kai chuckled. “Your ugly mug is an insult to my design aesthetic.”

Riven smacked him upside the head. “You’re an ass.”

I didn’t even protest Kai carrying me up the stairs. It was too nice listening to him and Riven banter back and forth on the way. Almost as if things were…normal.

Only they weren’t. I shoved the thought from my mind the second it entered. But memories of the devastation on Phoenix’s face battered at my mental walls.

The image was more than I could take. I needed a distraction, anything to take my mind off what I feared would break us all apart.

My mouth crashed against Kai’s the moment we made it into his room. His lips parted in surprise and my tongue stroked inside. It only took a second for Kai to respond, to give as good as he got. Heat pooled low in my belly until Kai pulled back on a gasp. “Pip,” he growled.

Riven’s eyes were hooded as he looked on. “You need to rest.”

Still in Kai’s arms, I reached for Riven, tugging him to me. “I need to feel.”

Not the pain or fear or worry. I needed to feel alive. To be reminded of the strength of our bond. How much we loved each other. How we could make it through anything, even this.

Riven’s gaze swept over my face, searching. He seemed to read exactly what I needed because he took me from Kai and laid me down on the bed. He reached for one of my boots as Kai grasped the other. With a tandem tug, my feet were free.

Riven’s gaze met mine again. “You’re sure? You aren’t hurting?”

I reached for the hem of my sweatshirt, grabbing it and my T-shirt, and pulling them over my head. “I’m sure.”

Riven’s eyes flared and then he sent a scathing look in Kai’s direction. “You’re the one who dressed her. You didn’t think to put on her bra?”

Kai’s lips twitched as he bent down, palming my breasts. “These beauties shouldn’t be restrained. I’d never put them in jail.”

A laugh bubbled out of me, and it felt so damn good. “My boobs thank you.”

He bent, pressing a kiss to one nipple and then the other. “You’re welcome. I’ll always look out for you.”

The swipe of his tongue around one peak had the laughter dying in my throat. “Kai,” I breathed.

Riven let out a low growl and hooked his fingers in my pants. In one swift tug, I was completely bare to them both. Riven sucked in a breath as his hand trailed up the inside of my thigh. “You’re too beautiful.”

“It’s brutal, that kind of beauty,” Kai echoed.

“Punches through your chest and flays your damn heart.”

Kai made a sound of agreement in the back of his throat.

I tried to sit up, to squirm, but Riven only tugged me down the mattress, spreading my legs. I let out my own growl then. “You’re both wearing too many clothes.”

Kai’s lips twitched. “You know how much I like being naked.”

“Then what the hell are you waiting for?” I snapped my fingers at him.

Riven chuckled. “Demanding little thing, aren’t you?”

My eyes narrowed on him. “You too.”

He arched a brow in challenge.

“Riv, I want to look at you.”

I hadn’t had nearly enough time to study his body like I had the others.

Riven’s eyes flashed, and his fingers went to the buttons on his shirt. Achingly slowly, he undid each one. Then the fabric fell to the floor, his chest on full display. His skin pulled taut over defined pecs and abs. And as his fingers went to the button on his jeans, I swallowed hard.

Riven’s cock sprung free, already hard. He gave it a couple of lazy strokes. “You see what you do to me?”

“The same damn thing she does to me,” Kai said. “Some sort of witchcraft.”

My gaze pulled to Kai, all that golden skin on display. And I couldn’t help but reach out. My fingers circled his dick and it pulsed in my hand.

“Hell,” he cursed. “I’m like a damn preteen again.”

I worked him from base to tip, reveling in the way his body reacted to mine. Power surged within me at the knowledge I could get this kind of reaction from my men.

In a flash, I was on my hands and knees crawling towards the end of the bed.

Kai let out a pained sound. “That view of your ass is going to be the death of me.”

I cast a wicked grin over my shoulder. “Then why don’t you do something about it…”

But I didn’t stop my forward progress. I moved straight in Riven’s direction. His hand stroked up and down his cock. And at my proximity, a tiny bead of wetness slipped from the tip.

That feeling of power surged again, and I didn’t hesitate. My lips closed around Riven and slid down his length. A groan escaped him, spurring me on.

Kai’s fingers dipped between my thighs, and he cursed. “So wet already. Just thinking about Riv’s cock has you soaked.”

Two fingers slid inside me, and I hummed around Riven’s length, his dick twitching in reaction. I pushed back into Kai, seeking more.

“Greedy,” he murmured.

Riven chuckled. “But it’s a damn good look on her.” His gaze met Kai’s. “I think she needs more, brother.”

I moaned in agreement. A second later, Kai’s fingers slid from my body and his tip was bumping my entrance. Everything inside me cried out for him. To be connected to Kai and Riven. To lose myself in them.

Kai thrust inside me and the angle had me gasping around Riven’s cock. An invisible wind picked up around the room. It skated over my skin, teasing my nipples and twisting them into tight peaks.

I sucked long and deep, wanting Riven to feel that same pleasure as I arched back into Kai. My Golden God gripped my hips as he pounded into me. Each thrust hit that spot deep inside me that had me seeing stars.

There was so much sensation, it felt as if I would drown in it. Riven growled low. “Gonna come, Aura.”

But I didn’t stop. Something about it only made me take him deeper.

A second later, there was pressure on my clit, a teasing stroke. Not Kai’s finger, but his water gift. My body shuddered, each sensation warring against the other in a battle that I never wanted to end.

Riven let loose a shout as he emptied himself down my throat. I took everything he had to give, as water flicked and danced around that bundle of nerves.

The gasp that parted my lips had Riven slipping from my mouth. He framed my face, eyes blazing as he watched Kai take me, thrust after thrust.

“Never going to forget this image. Burning it into my brain.”

My mouth fell open as Kai’s water pinched my clit. It was all too much. Riven’s gaze searing me to the spot, the pressure on that knot of pleasure, Kai arching impossibly deeper. Everything inside me exploded in a spiral of color and feeling. As if I were experiencing every one of those rainbow sparks that fueled my elemental soul.

I fractured and I never wanted to pick up the pieces.

9

I HOVERED IN THE ENTRYWAY, smoothing invisible wrinkles out of my skirt.

Atlas bent his head and pressed a kiss to my temple. “You look perfect.”

Between Sariah and the guys, all my injuries had healed. My hand was wrapped in a bandage to hide the newest streak of silver across my palm on the place where I’d sliced my hand on the chair leg. I couldn’t wear the bandage forever, but it would have to do for now.

Riven strode out of the kitchen and handed me a travel mug. “Drink this. It’ll help with restoring your energy.”

I sniffed at the steam that rose from the opening. It smelled delicious. I took a small, testing sip and grinned. “Like strawberries and cream.”

He brushed his lips across mine. “I infused the flavors I thought you’d like best.”

“A-plus,” I said, giving him another kiss.

“Hey, I want a good morning kiss,” Kai complained as he descended the last of the stairs.

I laughed at the pout on his face. “Pretty sure you already got one, and you didn’t brew me special tea.”

He scowled at Riven. “I could make you tea.”

Riven scoffed.

“I could,” Kai argued.

“You don’t even know where the kettle is.”

“I could find it.”

Atlas shook his head. “Come on. We’re going to be late for our meeting with Headmaster Acker.”

I shot one more look at the door, hoping it would open and Phoenix would stride inside. The guys had all texted him that Headmaster Acker had called for a meeting, but there had been no response from Phoenix.

I gripped the travel mug tighter, trying to keep that warmth with me. “Let’s go.”

The guys all shared a look, but no one said a word as we stepped outside. Egan and Carn fell in beside us instantly. My brows rose at that.

Riven grimaced. “We’re not taking any chances. They’ll be with us at all times from now on. Backup.”

I nodded, not fighting him on it. I’d stepped only a few feet away and been taken right under their noses. If they wanted the guards trailing me at all times, then so be it.

Students stared as we made our way towards Winthrop Hall. Their whispers carried on the breeze. I tried not to listen, but I couldn’t help picking up on Kerry’s and Aiden’s names. My stomach twisted as memories assailed me.

One guy snickered and asked his friend how much damage he thought Aiden had done. Atlas sent the guy a look that had all the color draining from his face.

“Did you have something you wanted to say?” The ground trembled beneath us with the force of Atlas’s words.

“N-n-no, Your Highness. I apologize.” Then he turned on his heel and fled.

“Pretty sure you made him piss himself.” Kai snickered.

A sound rumbled out of Atlas’s chest that only intensified the tremor in the earth beneath us. “People need to watch their mouths.”

Riven clapped a hand on Kai’s shoulder. “Let’s not rile up the big guy, okay?”

“Probably a good idea,” Kai mumbled.

“They let her back here?” a voice shrieked.

I squeezed my eyes closed. Maybe if I focused hard enough, I could make Drue vanish with my mind. There had to be some element that would do that. Maybe a windstorm that would whisk her away?

As my eyes opened, I was forced to come to terms with the fact that my mental gymnastics had not worked. Drue stomped towards us like a toddler throwing a tantrum, Xena following dutifully behind her.

“You seriously haven’t learned your lesson yet?” she demanded.

“Watch yourself,” Riven growled.

Drue sent him a scathing look. “Don’t get me started on you. Betraying Eva for this mutt?”

The ground below us began to shake again, but I just scoffed. “Really, Drue? Like you wouldn’t have dropped to your knees the second Riven crooked a finger at you? I thought you were the next aether?”

It was a low blow, but I didn’t give a damn. I’d had about enough of this chick and her venom.

Heat bloomed in Drue’s cheeks. “Like I would want any of them after they’ve touched you. They’re probably diseased now.”

Kai looked at Drue like she was a bug. “Funny, I heard you might’ve caught something whoring yourself out to the guards at Riv’s palace, trying to get better access to him.”

The shade of red that Drue turned was one I’d never seen in nature and told us everything we needed to know about the truth of Kai’s statement. But she gasped in an over-the-top attempt at innocence. “I would never deign to stoop so low.”

Carn, the air guard to our left, coughed, and the noise sounded a lot like bullshit.

Xena tugged at her friend’s arm. “Come on, Drue. Let’s go.”

Drue yanked her arm free. “No. I’m allowed to speak my piece. I’m allowed to speak the truth. This trash doesn’t belong here. She never has. The mutt might be playing a role right now, but she’ll never be accepted. She’ll never rule the elemental people because she isn’t one of us.”

I swallowed hard, the potential truth of her words striking somewhere deep.

A sneer spread across Drue’s cheeks. “The royals will realize it before long, and then they’ll be begging me to take the mutt’s place.” She let out a huff. “Aiden should’ve done us all a favor and gutted you when he had the chance.”

One second Drue was standing there, and the next she was surrounded by fire. The flames drew closer and closer as she screamed.

Phoenix appeared out of nowhere, stalking towards her, and flames danced across his own skin and swirled in his eyes. “Say that again. I dare you.”

10

FOR THE FIRST TIME, I saw true terror in Drue’s face. Her screams only intensified as the fire closed in around her, the circle growing tighter.

I moved to Phoenix then, my hand pressing into his back. “Don’t. She’s not worth it.”

His chest heaved as he struggled to gain control, to reel in his rage. “Apologize.”

Drue blanched. “I-I’m sorry.”

“Promise to stay away from Aura. That her name will never leave your lips again,” Phoenix growled.

“I promise!”

The fire surged forward and Drue shrieked, but then the flames died away completely. Xena rushed forward to help her friend who trembled as tears slid down her cheeks.

“You’re a fucking psycho!” Drue shouted.

Phoenix grinned, but there was a feralness to the action. “And don’t you forget it.”

Xena tugged Drue away from us, towards Winthrop Hall.

Kai started a slow clap. “That was something…”

Phoenix turned, severing my contact with him. “She needed to be dealt with. I’m not taking any chances.”

Not taking them because of what had happened with Aiden. Now, Phoenix would strike first and ask questions later.

My stomach twisted. “Phee…”

Sparks flashed in his dark eyes. “I’m doing what I have to.”

“But you don’t. Drue is a venomous bitch, but she wasn’t going to hurt me. Not here in front of everyone.”

A muscle fluttered along Phoenix’s jaw. “This is who I am. I’m done hiding that. It’s better for everyone if it’s out in the open.”

With that, he turned and stalked off towards the forest.

Everything in me hurt. For Phoenix. For our bond.

But on the heels of that hurt was anger. He didn’t get to do this. Drop a bomb and then leave.

I took off after him, the anger fueling my steps.

“Aura,” Atlas called.

“Don’t,” I shot back.

Something in my tone must have cut through because I didn’t hear any sounds of people following me. I was sure they were certain Phoenix would protect me if anything came our way. He’d certainly proven that with his stunt just now.

Phoenix’s stride was longer than mine, but I had anger on my side, my pace quicker than his. It didn’t take me long to reach him. Just as he was passing by the back of Crown Hall.

“Go back to the guys, Aura.”

“I don’t take orders from you.”

Phoenix’s shoulders stiffened and his pace slowed. “I’m doing what keeps you safe.”

“No, you’re being a coward.” I was baiting him, and I knew it. But I couldn’t find it in me to care.

Phoenix’s steps halted altogether, and he slowly turned around, smoke gathering around him. “What did you say?”

I didn’t let the sparks jumping off him frighten me. I refused. Instead, I met his stare dead-on. “You heard me. I said you’re being a coward.”

Phoenix’s nostrils flared. “I was a coward, you’re right. I was a coward when I wouldn’t end Aiden. But I’m not a coward anymore. If someone touches a hair on your head, I’ll end them. I’ll peel the skin from their flesh and turn their bones to ash. And I’ll like it. That’s who you’re bonded to.”

He was trying to scare me. I knew it. To shock me into rejecting him. Into being disgusted by him. It wouldn’t work.

“So, what? You’re going to stalk the shadows, killing anyone who looks at me funny, but you won’t actually talk to me? That’s cowardice.”

Phoenix’s jaw worked back and forth. “Call it whatever you want.”

“I don’t want to call it anything. I want you to stop running. I want you to be with me. I miss my friend, my love, my mate.”

Something flickered in Phoenix’s eyes, and I thought I might have cut through. Then the shutters went down. “I’m not who you think I am. I don’t deserve to hear your laugh, to inhale your scent, to touch your skin.”

Emotion warred within me. Grief and rage. But it was rage that won out. I gave him a hard shove. “I’m the one who gets to decide who’s worthy of me. And I choose you every time.”

The man who had sat with me on the roof and made me feel seen, and for the first time in so long…not alone. He couldn’t give me all of that and then just take it away, tell me it was a lie. No.

My hands fisted in Phoenix’s shirt, and I yanked him to me. It was only catching him by surprise that enabled me to move his massive form, but by then it was too late. My mouth was on his.

The kiss wasn’t tender or gentle. It was desperate and feral. But I didn’t care.

I bit Phoenix’s bottom lip and that was all it took. His control snapped.

He hauled me against himself, my legs wrapping around his waist. My back hit the stone wall of our dorm with enough force to sting. But I relished that bite of pain. Anything but the agony of possibly losing him.

Phoenix drank me in like a man who’d been wandering the desert for months. His tongue didn’t stroke mine, it battled. We were in a war for dominance, and I wasn’t backing down.

My fingers dug into Phoenix’s back, my nails scoring the flesh even through his button-down shirt. He growled into my mouth, and I swore I felt the vibrations all the way to my core.

Phoenix slipped a hand between us, grabbing hold of my lace panties and shredding them in one swift move. I gasped at the feeling of cool air against my overly sensitive flesh.

He pulled back, eyes full of challenge. “Ready to run, Pip?”

Sparks flew from my own skin then. “Never.” My hand dipped between us and flicked open the button on his fly. “Are you? Seems to be what you’re good at lately.”

Tiny flames erupted across Phoenix’s shoulders, but he didn’t flee. Instead, two fingers thrust inside me.

My eyes fluttered closed, relishing the feel of him. Having some small connection with Phoenix after missing him for so many days, weeks, was heaven. A moan slipped from my lips as I arched back, resting my head against the wall.

Phoenix’s teeth grazed my neck. “This turns you on? Knowing I would kill anyone who even looked at you?”

My inner walls contracted around his fingers as he thrust in and out. My fingernails dug deeper into his back. “Stop fucking around and give me what I need.”

Phoenix let out a sound that was something between a curse and a growl. His fingers were gone and a second later, I had all of him.

My mouth fell open at the delicious stretch. Phoenix didn’t wait. He pounded into me. I met him thrust for thrust, letting all my frustration and anger bleed into this with him.

Sparks swirled around us, erupting into flame. It was all too much. With a slight angle of Phoenix’s hips, I was spiraling down, losing myself to the fire that was only ours.

Phoenix muffled his shout into my neck, as he emptied himself into me. My chest heaved, and I struggled to come back to myself.

Onyx eyes stared down at me with an expression I couldn’t understand. “Did I hurt you?”

My jaw went slack. “No. That was…” Amazing? Just what I needed?

“A mistake.”

Phoenix pulled out, and I winced at the loss of him. But it was his words that cut deep.

He pulled up his fly. “I’m sorry, Aura. I never should’ve done that.”

And then he was gone.

11

I LET myself go numb as I opened the back door to our dorm. I pulled that haze of nothingness tight around me as I climbed the stairs to the top floor, to the room that was supposed to belong to all of us. Flicking on the light in the bathroom, I peeled off my uniform.

I wanted to throw every item of clothing into the trash. Every single piece of it would only be a reminder of what had just happened. And I wanted none of that.

Pulling a rubber band from my wrist, I tied my hair up into a bun. I may not have had time to wash my hair, but I was going to rinse Phoenix from my skin. Opening the door to the shower, I turned the water as cold as it would go. Whatever was the opposite of the fire I’d just been engulfed in. That was what I needed.

I stepped under the spray and couldn’t help the gasp that slipped from my lips. But I didn’t let myself move away from the ice-cold blast. Instead, I tipped my face up to the stream. The water pelted down on me, and it didn’t take long before the tears started. I just let them fall.

So much had been building. One life-altering moment after the other. Barely a chance to recover in between them. And just when I thought I was getting a handle on anything, the rug would get pulled out from under me.

My ribs constricted, making it hard to breathe. But I stayed where I was. In time, the ice-cold water washed away the worst of my tears. It didn’t do a damn thing to dull the pain though.

I shut off the water and stepped out of the shower. Wrapping a towel around myself, I started for the door. I didn’t pick up my discarded uniform. I couldn’t bring myself to touch it.

As I crossed into the bedroom, my steps faltered. Three sets of eyes were on me. Each one filled with a mix of emotions. Anger. Worry. Even a hint of fear.

“I just need to get dressed,” I said, moving to the closet. I couldn’t bear to look at them, couldn’t bear to see the pity in their eyes. My guys weren’t stupid. They’d put two and two together and figure out that I’d been all but fucked and dumped.

Stepping inside the closet, I closed the door behind me. No one followed. I dropped the towel and pulled out the first uniform I could find. I made quick work of dressing. Grabbing my towel, I started back out into the bedroom.

I still couldn’t look at them. Hanging up my towel soon became the most important task imaginable. The problem was once I’d done that, there was nothing else for me to distract myself with.

I hovered in the alcove between the bathroom and the bedroom. Who was the coward now?

Vibrations radiating through the floorboards told me someone was coming. Still, I didn’t look.

Two hands cupped my cheeks, the calluses sending pleasant shivers across my skin. Atlas tilted my face up to his. “You don’t need to hide from us, Pip. Not ever. Whatever happened, we’ll deal with it together. We’ll fix it.”

My throat tightened and my eyes burned. “I’m not sure this is fixable. He’s in such a dark place.”

Riven leaned against the alcove’s wall, those glacier eyes more of a stormy color now. “Did he hurt you?”

I swallowed hard. “Not in the way you’re thinking.” It was so much worse. Phoenix had shredded my damn heart.

“In what way, then?” Kai asked. His voice was colder than I’d ever heard it. Ominous.

I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter.”

Riven strode towards me, pulling me from Atlas’s hold and into his arms. “It always matters. No one hurts you and gets away with it, not even one of us.”

Kai scoffed. “You’re one to talk.”

Riven scowled at him. “And I’ve kicked my ass for that more than you’ll ever know.”

“Stop,” I begged. “We’re going to hurt each other. That’s life.”

“But no matter what, we have to fix it,” Atlas said softly.

My gaze pulled to his. “I’m trying. But everything I do…” Turned into a total disaster. I couldn’t bring myself to say the words, but that didn’t change their truth.

Kai moved closer and brushed his lips across my temple. “Phoenix needs time. He’s always needed to burn through that anger before he can be brought around to reason.”

“It’s not the anger I’m worried about,” I said.

“Then what?” Riven asked.

“Guilt.”

Atlas’s jaw worked back and forth. “He’s always been one to take on blame for things that aren’t his fault.”

Riven sighed. “I don’t think Phoenix has ever stopped blaming himself for his sister’s death.”

Kai’s blue-green eyes flashed. “That’s on The Network and no one else. He was a kid.”

I pushed deeper into Riven’s hold. “Seeing her the way he did, hearing her screams? That’s trauma. It doesn’t just go away. You have to work through it.”

The corners of Atlas’s mouth pulled down. “The only way he’s ever worked through it is by working through his kingdom’s hit list, killing the worst of the worst and knowing he’s leaving the world a better place.”

“I know he’s needed that. I get it, and I don’t blame him for it, but it also isn’t exactly healthy. I was hoping there was some way for Aiden and him to find peace again but…” My words trailed off.

Kai brushed the hair away from my face. “Don’t you blame yourself for that piece of things. Aiden was never going to come around. It wasn’t in him.”

I knew Kai was right about Aiden being incapable of compassion, but I would still hate myself for being the reason he was wiped from the earth.

A series of beeps sounded and Riven cursed as he released me.

I frowned. “What’s wrong?”

Worry creased Atlas’s brow. “That’s the sound of an official royal communication.”

My stomach dropped as I turned to face Riven.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket and tapped a series of buttons on the screen before staring into what I assumed was a camera. Light flashed, and then his eyes narrowed again as he scanned the information.

Riven paled.

“Shit, Riv,” Kai muttered. “You’re freaking me out.”

“It’s an invitation to my father’s palace for dinner. Tonight.”

Atlas cursed, hauling me against him.

I looked around at the three of them. “Can we just politely decline? Tell them we have to study or something.”

Riven’s eyes lifted to me, and I’d never seen them more hollow. “It’s an official decree. We don’t have a choice.”

12

I STOOD in the gorgeous bathroom my bond had renovated for me in nothing but my underwear. It was beautiful underwear, I’d give the guys that. A burgundy lace that was so soft, it felt as if it were spun from the softest silk.

I’d taken an eternity to carefully apply my makeup. It was an armor of sorts. The dramatic smoky eye and contoured cheekbones. As if somehow, that would protect me from whatever was to come.

Just the idea of facing the man who’d killed my parents had nausea swirling in my belly. I gripped the edge of the counter. “You’re stronger than this.”

Silver flashed in my eyes for the briefest of moments before they turned back to their normal gray. But something about that was comforting, a sign of my inner strength.

I released my hold on the marble and straightened. Turning to face the dress that hung on a hook, I stared it down. It was another piece of armor. One that would help me blend into the world I’d never been a part of.

We’d skipped classes today so that Riven, Kai, and Atlas could bring me up to speed on royal etiquette. They’d also given me a play-by-play on who might appear at the dinner tonight. King Zephyr’s mistress. Perhaps his many advisors. His royal guard.

Riven had broken down each player, showing me their photo and telling me what to watch out for. Atlas had squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll be with you the whole time.”

It was only that assurance that would get me through tonight.

I reached for the satin dress. The attire for the evening was formal. Kai had pointed me towards a rack in the walk-in closet and told me to choose anything I wanted from there. The guys had thought ahead, outfitting me for whatever might come our way.

Pulling down the zipper, I slid the luxury creation from the hanger. The feel was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I stepped into it and pulled it on. The dress itself was mostly a pale lavender that complemented my complexion perfectly. It had a plunging neckline that exposed all my silver markings. It would’ve been beyond dumb to wear if it weren’t for the lace.

Metallic threads wove together in an overlay that made me look as if I was covered in a coating of stardust. It was just enough that you couldn’t tell what was fabric and what were my scars. It even covered my arms and most of my hands.

I zipped up the back and arranged my painstakingly curled hair. No one from my old life would’ve recognized me. A pang lit through me at that thought. I missed my family. Charlie, Janine, Lainey.

Shoving that thought down, I took a deep breath. “You can do this.”

I gave my reflection a nod and slipped my feet into strappy, silver sandals. They weren’t ridiculously high, but it would still be a miracle if I didn’t trip and fall and land on my ass tonight. Maybe my air magic could keep me upright.

With that one hope, I started for the door. The bedroom was empty, so I kept walking. Muted voices lifted from the floors below. I followed the sound down the stairs and into the living room.

The moment I entered the room, the voices died. Four sets of eyes bored into me, and I fought the urge to squirm. Was this too much? Had I made some fashion faux pas?

It was Kai who jerked to motion first. He crossed to me in four long strides. His hands skimmed down my sides as his hungry gaze ate me up. “Pip.”

His voice was low and gruff, skating over my skin in a way that made all sorts of promises.

“Is it okay?” I asked softly.

Kai grunted. “Okay? I’m about to throw you over my shoulder and lock you in my room all night. They can try me for treason if they damn well please.”

Atlas moved in to my side. His long fingers brushed my hair off my shoulders, and he lowered his head to brush a kiss there. “You’re breathtaking.”

Riven swallowed, crossing to us. “Most beautiful sight I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

Phoenix was the only one who didn’t move. But his eyes drank me in.

Mine did the same in answer. Clad in a tux like the rest of the guys, he was a vision. Tattoos peeking out from the collar of his crisp, white shirt. Jacket that skimmed his chest in a way that hinted at the muscle below. And those onyx eyes were sparking. Flames danced in their depths and promised pleasure and pain, depending on what he was in the mood for.

“We should go,” Riven said, voice low.

I tore my gaze away from Phoenix. “Of course.”

“We won’t be able to bring any of our guards with us.”

My eyes shot to his. “Why not?”

Atlas grunted. “It’s considered an insult to bring in outside guards when this is Riven’s home kingdom.”

Kai’s hand slid into mine. “We’ve got you, Pip.”

I knew that without a shadow of a doubt. “Let’s get this over with. Can we get the stuff for ice cream sundaes on the way home? I don’t think I’m going to like all the fancy food.”

Atlas grinned as he started for the door. “I could do ice cream sundaes.”

We made our way to the SUV parked in front of the dorm. Egan and Carn both sent us nods of respect.

“We’ll keep an eye on the place while you’re gone,” Egan said.

Phoenix gave him a chin lift. “Appreciate it.” Then he skirted around us and climbed behind the wheel. I fought the urge to sigh.

Atlas took the front passenger seat and the rest of us climbed into the back. Kai drummed a rapid beat on his thighs and Riven stared out the window, tension creasing his eyes.

I wove my fingers through his and squeezed. “You okay?”

He glanced over at me. “Not really. You?”

“I have you guys. I’ll be okay.”

Riven’s expression gentled, and he brushed his lips across mine. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

My hand spasmed in his. “I won’t let anything happen to you either.”

We were silent for the rest of the drive to the portal. As we filed out of the SUV, I stared at the orb of energy that could take us anywhere in the elemental world.

Riven stepped forward. “I’ll direct us to the palace portal. They’ll be waiting, so be on your toes.”

The rest of the guys nodded, forming a sort of circle around me so that no part of me was exposed.

We stepped into the orb of energy, and it washed over me in a way that made my stomach lurch. It was like that dip on a roller coaster where everything was weightless for a few moments. In a matter of seconds, we were stepping out on the other side.

And we were surrounded.

13

MY MOUTH WENT dry as I took in the dozens of royal guards surrounding the portal. The guys took up a defensive stance around me, readying themselves for anything.

King Zephyr strode forward, a smile stretched across his face. “Welcome to the Kingdom of Zephyr,” he boomed then chuckled. “Oh, relax. The guard has been on heightened alert since this nasty Network business. Can’t be too careful.”

His gaze turned to me, concern lining his features. “And how are you, Aura, dear? I heard you had quite the incident.”

I blinked a few times. Who was this, and where was the man who always told me I was nothing but an imposter? King Zephyr was obviously trying a tactic. But it wouldn’t work either.

Everything about the man was false. His smile was strained, as if the muscles he used to create it were unfamiliar with the action. The concern wavered in place as if he couldn’t control it, and it lacked any real authenticity.

I kept my face a blank mask. “I’m just fine, Your Highness.”

His eyes flashed. “Glad to hear it. Please, follow me to the dining hall.”

Kai placed my hand in the crook of his elbow, while Atlas took up position at my other side. Phoenix dropped behind us, protecting our backs, and Riven led in front.

My gaze jumped around the palace corridor as King Zephyr guided us towards our destination. The ceilings were impossibly high, and massive windows let in the twilight from a garden. The grounds were lush with gorgeous flowers and fountains that had air magic making the water dance in elaborate displays. The walls of the hallway had gold filigree pressed into them in intricate designs.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed.

“Don’t let it fool you,” Riven said in a low tone only we could hear.

Everything in me stiffened, and an image of Riven’s scars flashed in my mind. The palace might be aesthetically beautiful, but that was only to hide the monster that lived here. I pressed a hand to Riven’s back, wanting him to know I was here, that he wasn’t alone.

He reached a hand back, his fingers squeezing mine in a silent thank you. I hated the fact that he even had to be here. I’d eat my dinner so fast it was going to make King Zephyr’s head spin.

Two guards opened a set of massive doors, bowing as the king passed.

“Please, be seated,” King Zephyr said.

Riven took one of the seats closest to his father, and I took the chair next to him. Atlas was on my other side and Phoenix and Kai across from us. The moment we sat, waiters appeared, pouring champagne into each of our glasses.

King Zephyr lifted his champagne flute. “A toast. To my son finding his mate.”

There was bite to the king’s words that didn’t fit with his sentiment, and Riven’s jaw ticked. But we all took a sip. I didn’t want to point out that I wasn’t yet twenty-one. But who knew what the legal drinking age was in the elemental realm?

King Zephyr leaned back in his chair as salads were placed in front of us all. He didn’t speak, he simply stared at me. His eyes held the coldest calculation I’d ever seen.

“Do you know how special an aether is, son? How rare?” The king spoke to Riven but never took his gaze off me.

Tension filled the air as the guys around me went on alert.

“I’m well aware of how special Aura is,” Riven gritted out. “But it has nothing to do with her powers. It’s her soul.”

King Zephyr scoffed. “You always were weak. Could never do what needed to be done.”

“Don’t speak about him that way,” I snapped.

Atlas’s hand moved to my thigh, squeezing in a silent warning to use caution.

The king simply laughed. “Good to know she has a little fire in her after all.” His gaze raked over me in a way that made my stomach turn. “I knew another young woman with that kind of fire once.” His eyes flashed. “She made the mistake of trying to use it against me. It burned her alive.”

My mother.

Bile surged in my throat, and I shoved back from the table. Atlas was behind me in a flash, but I was already halfway to the door.

“Bathroom?” I croaked.

“Just down that hall,” the guard answered, sympathy in his gaze. Apparently, not everyone in this palace was a heartless monster.

I charged down the corridor until I caught sight of a tiny alcove. Yanking the door open, I rushed inside and slammed the door behind me. I struggled to breathe past the nausea. Memories battered at the walls of my mind.

The smoke. The screams. I squeezed my eyes closed, breathing through my nose.

A soft knock sounded on the door. “Miss?” a feminine voice asked. “May I come in? Your Atlas asked for something to soothe your stomach.”

Of course, Atlas would know instantly why I’d run for the bathroom. I took a shaky breath and opened the door. A woman who looked to be in her sixties gave me a kind smile and stepped inside, extending a glass. “It’s a ginger root concoction. It also did the trick for my girls when they had an upset belly.”

I accepted the drink and took a sip. Bubbles played on my tongue and the cool sweetness brought with it instant relief. “Thank you.”

“Of course. I’ll just wait with you until you’re ready to return. Prince Atlas is just in the hall.”

I nodded, taking another sip.

The woman studied me, her hands nervously fidgeting with the ties on her uniform. “Are you really Ciela’s daughter?”

The air froze in my lungs. “You knew my mother?”

The woman swallowed hard, moving in closer. “You need to leave here. Pretend you’re too sick to continue with dinner.”

“I don’t know that I can—”

“You must.” She reached out, squeezing my free hand. “You have to leave and never come back. He has all the power here.”

“King Zephyr?”

“Shhh!” she hissed. “There are ears everywhere. Act weak. Lean on your mate. Have him take you home.”

I wanted out of here like nobody’s business, but I also needed to understand just what this woman was telling me. “Why?”

She glanced over her shoulder as if someone could’ve somehow snuck in behind her. “He was obsessed with her. It was a true sickness.”

I sucked in a breath. “Obsessed with my mother?”

The woman gave a jerky nod. “I used to clean his private quarters. There were photos everywhere. Notes about her. Full reports of her movements.”

Memories of what Janine had told me flashed in my mind. How someone had been following my mother. Stalking her. And that person was King Zephyr.

“What did he want—?”

The door jerked open, cutting us off. A female guard stared daggers at the woman in front of me. “What do you think you’re doing?”

The woman ducked her head. “Just bringing a concoction to the lady. She’s ill.”

I quickly remembered her orders to play that up. “I’m afraid I might have caught a stomach bug.”

The guard scoffed. “Out into the hall, the lot of you.”

We moved through the alcove and into the corridor, only to come face-to-face with my bond and King Zephyr, a faction of guards lining the hall behind them.

King Zephyr’s eyes flashed. “What do you think you’re doing here, Mayla? You’re not to leave the kitchens,” he growled.

“That’s my fault,” Atlas hurried to say. “I knew Aura was feeling ill and I wanted a concoction for her.”

The king’s gaze narrowed on Mayla, who began to tremble. “What. Have. You. Done?”

Mayla blanched. “Nothing, Your Highness.”

“Do not lie to me!” His words rattled the windows as rage engulfed me. “You know I can sense your untruths.”

My eyes flared. Did King Zephyr have a similar gift to Atlas where he could tell people were being dishonest?

Tears filled Mayla’s eyes. “I just told the lady that I knew her mother. That she was a kind and generous soul.”

“You filled Aura’s head with lies,” King Zephyr gritted out.

Mayla lifted her head to meet the king’s furious stare. “I told her the truth. That you were obsessed—”

King Zephyr moved so fast that it was a blur. He pulled a blade from his belt and sliced it across Mayla’s throat. She was speaking one second and crumpled in a heap on the floor the next, her blood spilling out on the marble tiles.

14

THE SOUND that escaped me was a cross between a gasp and a scream. In a single second, Atlas had me in his arms, while Phoenix jumped in front of us, a fireball raising in his palm. Water swirled around Kai’s hands, and I could feel the brush of air that I knew was Riven’s.

The guards in the hall instantly unsheathed their weapons. King Zephyr didn’t even blink. He simply bent, wiping his blade clean on Mayla’s apron. As he straightened, his eyes narrowed on us. “I won’t have insolence in my own home. Lies either.”

But they weren’t lies. I knew it. And the rumble of Atlas’s chest against my back told me that he knew it too.

“Let us return to dinner,” King Zephyr said, sheathing his knife.

I gaped at the man. Was he kidding? I just watched him slice the throat of a woman who’d shown me kindness when it did nothing to serve her, and he expected me to shove down filet mignon or whatever the hell he had planned?

Atlas held me tighter to himself. “I’m afraid we’ll need to get Aura home. She isn’t feeling well.”

The king glared at my gentle giant. “And I’m afraid that’s not acceptable.”

“Father…” Riven began.

“Silence,” King Zephyr barked. “We will finish this meal, or you will all be tried for treason.”

The fireball in Phoenix’s hand grew in size and I knew he was considering hurling it at the monster in front of us. As much as I wanted him to, we had to be smart.

I grabbed the back of Phoenix’s jacket and tugged him towards me. “Let’s finish this dinner.” If I puked, I was aiming it at the king.

The walk back to the dining room looked more like a funeral procession than people heading to a dinner party. All of us were silent as the salads were consumed. I couldn’t bring myself to eat a single bite. I just moved the leaves of lettuce around my plate.

“Hasn’t anyone taught you that it’s rude not to eat what’s put in front of you?” King Zephyr barked.

I lifted my head, meeting his stare and refusing to look away. “My parents were brutally murdered by a coward who isn’t worth spit. So, I must have missed out on the manners portion of my childhood.”

Kai choked on a sip of water and coughed as Phoenix pounded him on the back.

King Zephyr’s nostrils flared. “Perhaps they were murdered because of their insolence.”

“It sounds to me like they were murdered because a little man felt threatened.”

“Aura,” Riven warned quietly as our main course was placed in front of us.

Air that had been still a moment ago picked up. The breeze swept through the room as King Zephyr struggled to get his breathing under control. “Your mother was a waste of her lineage.”

“Enough,” Phoenix snapped. “You will not speak of Aura’s mother like that.”

The king’s head turned slowly towards Phoenix. “You forget your place. You’re in my kingdom now…”

“And if any of us are injured while we’re here, you’ll start an international incident,” Kai said in a breezy tone. “While you’re definitely an asshole, I don’t think you’re stupid enough to do that.”

A feral smile stretched across King Zephyr’s face. “Oh, Kai, I’m going to enjoy peeling that grin from your face one of these days.”

“Let’s eat so we can leave,” Riven said, voice hard.

Atlas grunted in agreement.

The guys shoveled food into their mouths, clearing their plates in record time. I couldn’t manage a single bite. When the dishes were cleared, Riven pushed back his chair and stood. “According to the royal decrees, we were required to eat the main meal with you. Staying for dessert is an added honor that we aren’t required to extend. We’ll be leaving now.”

The rest of us stood, while King Zephyr fumed. But there was nothing he could do. Not right now.

We started for the door. But Riven’s steps slowed, then faltered. He clutched at his throat as if he couldn’t breathe and then collapsed to the floor.

Panic seized me as I fell to the marble beside him, my hands hovering over his body. His veins pulsed with a black substance as his eyes bugged out.

“Poison,” Phoenix barked, pulling two fireballs to his hands.

“What do we do?” I shouted at Atlas.

A second later, Atlas was ripping open Riven’s shirt and exposing his chest to me. Those black streaks were emanating from his heart. I didn’t know what could cause this, but I knew it was bad.

“Black hemlock. It’s deadly to elementals. No healer can cure it,” Atlas said, his voice hoarse. “But maybe…”

I knew what he was suggesting. Maybe our aether tether would be enough to save him.

I pressed my hands to his chest, closing my eyes. I didn’t know what exactly I needed to do, just that we had to have contact and that the blackness needed to come out.

King Zephyr let out a low chuckle. “I know you’re an aether, girl, but you’ll never save him from this.”

My head snapped up, gaze jerking in the king’s direction. There was barely contained glee on his face. King Zephyr had done this.

Riven started to seize and panic gripped me.

“No, no, no.” I pressed my hands harder into his chest and pressed my forehead to his as the seizure eased. Riven’s heartbeat was slow, too slow. “Don’t leave me.”

King Zephyr laughed louder, and it broke something inside me. My magic pulsed somewhere deep and then exploded through me. Not just through my hands or where I was touching Riven, but everywhere.

My eyes widened as I pulled back, and people around the room gasped. Silver strands of power wove around me and Riven. They looked so much like the lightning bolt cracks that littered the chests of my guys and me, but they were in the very air. They spun a tighter circle around me and Riven and then plunged into his body.

Moments later, his entire form glowed. There were curses from some of the guards, whispered prayers from the others, but I didn’t give a damn. I could feel the tether between us, my magic wrapping around Riven’s body. Some instinct took over, and I pushed harder, sending more into him.

Riven’s eyes flew open as he gasped for breath.

Tears tracked down my cheeks, falling onto Riven’s bare chest.

“Aura?” he croaked, confusion lacing his tone.

I bent, pressing my forehead to his. “You’re okay.”

I said the words over and over as if I were reassuring myself as much as him.

Riven’s hand trembled as he lifted it, pressing it to my cheek. “I feel you. You’re all around. Down to my soul.”

The tears just came harder. He was alive. I wasn’t going to lose him.

Footsteps pounded on the marble floor, and I jerked upright.

King Zephyr stared down at me. “What. Are. You?”

15

KAI AND ATLAS shoved in front of me and Riven, blocking us from King Zephyr, while Phoenix took up position on our opposite side to protect us from the guard.

“That was some sort of black magic. I’ll have you hanged!” the king bellowed.

But then a single guard stepped forward. The same one who had given me a look of sympathy when I’d taken off from the dining hall. His eyes were wide, and he dropped to one knee as his head bowed. “Quintessence.”

King Zephyr jerked at his move. “That’s ridiculous.”

But whispers took off then, picking up speed as they traveled through the guard and the waitstaff who had spilled into the room at all the commotion. Another guard dropped to a knee, then a waiter, and a woman who looked to be a cook.

My heart rattled in my chest, and it picked up speed.

“Get up right now,” King Zephyr ordered.

Only more people dropped to the floor. About a sixth of the crowd, all in all. The rest were glancing around the room, unsure of what to do.

Riven struggled to sit up, and I hurried to help him. He glared at his father. “Now you know. You’ll never defeat us because she has more power in her little pinky than you’ll ever see in a lifetime.”

Air whirled around us as King Zephyr fumed.

“Uh, I think that’s our sign to go,” Kai quipped.

I got to my feet, struggling to bring Riven with me.

“It’s not Quintessence. It’s black magic. Seize them,” the king barked.

The guards hesitated, unsure of what to do.

“Now!”

Half the guard surged forward, and Phoenix erected a wall of flame to keep them back. “We need to move.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” King Zephyr said with a sneer.

His air gift snaked out, grabbing hold of me and pulling me towards him. My reaction was pure instinct. Water shot from my palms, snaking around his neck in a stranglehold. King Zephyr coughed and spluttered, but I only pulled the rope of water tighter.

“How does it feel? This is what you did to your own son.”

Riven leaned into me. “Don’t. Don’t let him put a mark on your soul. Don’t let him turn you into what he is.”

Those words penetrated when nothing else would’ve.

I jerked the stream of water and sent Riven’s father hurtling into the wall. He hit it with a loud thump and then slumped to the floor.

Kai shot me a grin as he blasted a guard with his own stream of water. “Badass, Pip.”

“Maybe we save the banter for later? I’d like to try to get out of here alive,” Riven said. But his words were raspy, breaths labored. He needed out of here so we could get him true medical care.

“Follow me,” a voice yelled. The kind guard from earlier.

Phoenix sent him a death stare. “If you’re tricking us…”

“I don’t sense any deception in him,” Atlas hurried to say.

And we didn’t have a choice.

The guard waved us forward, as Phoenix’s wall of flames kept the rest of the guards back.

“There’s a passage just here.” He pressed a spot on the wall and a panel opened.

We all ducked inside, and then the guard dropped a bar that would keep the door from opening. “We have to hurry. They won’t be able to get in, but they’ll warn the others of your escape.”

Phoenix panted, struggling to catch his breath, and it was only then that I realized just how much energy he’d been exerting to keep up that intense fire.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

He nodded. “Fine. We need to keep going.”

Kai wrapped Riven’s arm around his shoulders so that he could help Riven walk more quickly. And it was then that I saw blood trickling from Atlas’s temple.

I grabbed his hand, but he shook his head. “I’m fine. Just got hit with a little earth magic.”

Rage pulsed deep inside me. These people had put us through hell. All because of the lies of a madman.

The passageway forked and the guard led us to the left. “There’s another portal only a few know about. I’m not even supposed to know, but I’m nosy.”

Atlas grunted. “That’s coming in handy right about now.”

Riven started to slip from Kai’s hold and I hurried to prop him up on the other side. Kai adjusted his grip on Riven’s arm. “Gotta stop with all the donuts, Riv. You’re gettin’ a little too hefty.”

“Fuck off,” Riven muttered.

The weak attempt at banter made my nose sting. But I focused on propelling us forward. Another couple of minutes and the guard slowed. “This is it.”

He undid a series of locks and then pushed the door open. A large orb of energy filled the small room, and I’d never been more relieved.

“Kai, can you direct us?” Phoenix asked. “I don’t think the rest of us are strong enough.”

“Got it. Safe house Q?”

Phoenix jerked his head in a nod.

Shouts sounded from the hallway outside.

The guard’s eyes widened. “Go now. I’ll fight them off for as long as I can, so they won’t be able to track you.”

“No, you need to come with us,” I argued. I wasn’t leaving the kind guard behind.

He pressed a fist to his chest as he drew his sword. “It is an honor to defend you with my dying breath.”

The door burst open, and Phoenix hauled me into the portal as I screamed.

16

MY SCREAM WAS CUT off as the portal energy swirled around us. I tried to reach out for the guard, to take him with us, but I couldn’t reach.

Phoenix held me tightly as I struggled against him. “We didn’t have a choice, Pip.”

“There’s always a choice.” My voice was raw, the anguish coating it.

A few seconds later, we spilled out into a field. The sights surrounding us were the opposite of the Zephyr palace in every way. Lush, green grass. A forest full of trees with glittering blooms. Night birds calling to one another.

It was breathtaking. But all I could feel was the ache in my chest.

I struggled out of Phoenix’s hold.

Atlas sent me a concerned look. “Phoenix is right. We didn’t have a choice. If the guards had followed us, our safe house would’ve been exposed.”

A single tear slid down my cheek. “He’s going to die.”

All because he was protecting us. Protecting me. And I didn’t even know his name.

“He might have more help than you think,” Kai said as he struggled to hold Riven upright. “There were a few guards who’d turned against the crown. But right now, we need to get to the house. Riv needs medicine and rest.”

“I’m okay,” he croaked, sounding anything but.

My chest clenched as I hurried forward and ducked beneath his other arm. “How far do we have to walk?”

“We’re not walking,” Atlas said. With a flick of his hand, he moved a boulder away from what I could see now was a cave set between the trees.

“Your safe house is a cave?”

Phoenix snorted. “Like Kai would put up with less than thousand-thread count sheets and a massive bathtub to soak in.”

Kai huffed. “Don’t pretend like you don’t love that tub.”

“Wait here,” Atlas instructed and hurried towards the cave. A few seconds later, an engine sounded, and an SUV appeared.

“That’s handy,” I muttered.

Kai shot me a grin. “We think of everything.”

Atlas brought the SUV to a stop in front of us. Phoenix opened the front passenger door, and Kai and I helped Riven into the seat, then climbed in the back. It was the closest I’d been to Phoenix since our side-of-the-building sex, and I fought the urge to squirm.

The heat that was only Phoenix’s rolled over me. I hated what a comfort it was in this moment, when the man himself didn’t want to comfort me, didn’t want that closeness.

“Are you okay?” His smoky voice skated over my skin in a physical caress.

I stared straight ahead, out the windshield. “I’ll be fine when we know Riven’s okay.”

“I will be. Just need some food and rest,” Riven said.

No one responded. We all hoped he was right, but we didn’t know the kind of lasting damage the black hemlock might’ve done.

Instead of worrying myself sick about that possibility or thinking of the guard we’d left behind, I focused on the makeshift road in front of us. It wasn’t paved, there wasn’t even any gravel. Just two worn divots in the earth where vehicles had traveled before.

The forest that shot up around us felt like it was torn from the pages of a fairy tale. I’d seen magical plants back on campus, but these woods were filled with even more. Their shimmering leaves and metallic bark glistened in the moonlight.

“Where are we?” I asked.

Kai gave my thigh a squeeze. “The Kingdom of Torrent. A protected sector that gets very little traffic. Perfect spot for a hideaway.”

It was smart. Kai’s father was an ally, so if the shit ever did hit the fan, he’d have our back.

“It’s beautiful,” I said quietly.

Kai gave me a soft smile. “I’m glad you like it.”

Atlas guided the SUV around a curve in the road, and a massive house came into view.

I leaned forward, gaping at the structure. Even with how huge it was, it fit with its surroundings. The pale stone had the faintest shimmer to it in the same way most of the trees and plants did around here. Towering windows made it so that the moonlight could illuminate glimpses inside, and I knew in the daylight you’d be able to have a view from every room.

Atlas pulled to a stop in front of the home. “Here we are.”

“How long have you had this place?”

The guys around me shared a look.

“What?”

Atlas cleared his throat. “We started building it after the bond was cemented. This is the first time we’ve been here since construction was completed.”

My jaw went slack. That was just weeks ago. How on earth was that even possible?

Kai grinned, seeming to understand my confusion. “My dad helped. He sent the palace construction crew and their team. They all agreed to have their minds wiped by Riven after construction was complete so that they wouldn’t remember where this was or even that it existed at all.”

“You really thought of everything,” I murmured.

Riven turned, smiling even though he was still far too pale. “We thought this could be our home. Somewhere safe, isolated. We may have to stay in the palaces at different points, but this place will be ours.”

Tears burned my eyes. “I love that idea.”

His smile grew. “Come on, it’s been driving me crazy that we haven’t seen it yet.”

“You need to lay down. Not traipse all over this monstrosity,” I argued.

Kai snorted. “What can we say, big homes for big boys.”

I rolled my eyes as Phoenix snorted.

We climbed out of the SUV, Riven doing it on his own steam this time. Just those few minutes of rest had seemed to do him good, but I still hurried to his side. “Maybe you should rest first and tour later.”

“No way, Pip.” He bent and kissed the top of my head. “I want to see you take it all in.”

I huffed. “Fine. But this is a quick tour.”

“Understood.”

Atlas strode up to the door and pressed his palm to some sort of reader. “It’s keyed to all of our palm prints and no one else’s,” he explained.

“Superspy gadgets,” I mumbled.

The door opened and we followed him inside. I couldn’t help the sharp intake of breath as Atlas flicked on the lights. It was gorgeous.

Everything about the space was light and airy, peaceful. Decorated in creams and grays with accents of soft blues and greens. It fit with the water kingdom we were housed in. Just walking into the space made you want to take a deep breath.

The welcoming feel pulled me forward from the entryway into a massive living space. Everything open concept. The living room spilled into a dining area and kitchen. The overstuffed sectional would make even Atlas look small. A large TV hung over a fireplace, and I could picture us all curled up here, watching movies.

The kitchen had more space and gadgetry than I’d ever seen. There was a set of double ovens in addition to the huge range. Endless cabinets to fill with who knew what. A fancy coffee machine that I’d probably need a year to learn how to use. A fridge and freezer that would’ve fit me inside it at least four times over.

I glanced back at Atlas. “I bet the kitchen was all you.”

A hint of color formed on the apples of his cheeks. “It’ll be nice to have more space to cook family dinners in.”

Warmth swirled in my chest at the thought.

Kai all but bounced on the balls of his feet. “There’s a screening room and gym in the basement. The gym has space for a sparring area as well as machinery. But this was my favorite part of the plans.”

He crossed to the back wall that was almost entirely glass. With a flick of his hand, the backyard illuminated and I gasped. It looked like something that belonged in a resort.

The pool was set naturally into the surrounding landscape. It was large enough to swim laps in, but the far edge tumbled over into a rockscape dotted with those magical plants that glittered. And there was a hot tub off to one side.

“That’s incredible,” I said.

“Told you she’d like it,” Kai said with a puff of his chest.

Riven moved in closer to me. “There are bedrooms for all of us upstairs and yours is big enough to share. But we had some additional rooms put in as well. Just in case.”

“Room to grow,” Atlas said softly.

My chest constricted. Children. A family.

I couldn’t help but glance at Phoenix. He’d hung back this entire time. And even now, his expression was carefully masked.

It hurt more than I thought possible. How did we make it past this? Any of it? There was a mountain stacked against us. Phoenix’s newfound distance. Zephyr’s greed. The Network’s hatred. Not to mention all those who would love nothing more than to see me fail.

My gaze lifted to Riven’s, and I swore he read every thought, and maybe he did. So, I spoke the only words I could. “What are we going to do?”

17

I CURVED myself around Riven in the bedroom that would belong to all of us. It was the most beautiful space I’d ever seen. Peaceful in the same way the downstairs was, a true retreat.

There was space for a reading nook and sitting area that looked out over the pool and beautiful landscape. The large windows made it feel as if we were a part of the nature surrounding us. Photos dotted the walls of stolen memories over the past weeks. Sneaky snapshots from the guys’ cell phones if I had to guess. The bed looked like several king-sized beds put together and covered in a thick comforter with swirls of blue.

Riven’s hand tangled in my hair. “What are you thinking about?”

I burrowed deeper into his hold, relishing the feel of his steady heartbeat against my cheek. “Just that I could get lost in this bed.”

He chuckled. “Better than not having enough room.”

With five of us sharing the space, he had a point. At least I hoped it would still be five.

“What’s wrong?”

I didn’t look at him when he asked, afraid of what he might see. Instead, I traced an invisible design on Riven’s bare chest. “Just wondering if all of us will ever share the bed together.”

His fingers stilled for a second before he picked up his stroking again. “We will. His head’s a mess right now. But that will clear. Just give him time.”

I tilted my face back so that I could see Riven’s better. “And how’s your head?”

I knew his body was already recovering. His coloring was better since we’d had more skin-to-skin contact and he’d gotten some of Atlas’s food in him. But his mind and soul were another issue altogether.

“Sometimes, I’m not sure how you all can bear to look at me.”

I jerked in Riven’s hold. “Why would you say that?”

“He’s a monster, Aura. He’s put us all through hell and his blood runs through my veins.”

“You aren’t him,” I growled, pushing myself into a sitting position. “Don’t you dare think you have an ounce of him in you.”

Riven blinked a few times as if surprised by my outburst. “You don’t see him in me? I was cruel to you in the beginning. The fact that I could do it shows—”

“That you would sacrifice everything for me,” I said, cutting him off. “Nothing else.”

Riven lifted a hand, pressing it to my cheek and then trailing it down my neck. “You’re a miracle, you know that?”

A pleasant chill skated over my skin as his fingers came to the edge of the robe I’d put on after my shower. It wasn’t one of those sexy ones. It was one of the plush ones that felt as if you were draped in clouds. But the way Riven was staring at me in that moment, it might as well have been the finest lingerie.

“Riv,” I rasped. “You need to rest.”

“Being close to you is the best medicine out there.”

My heart gave a stutter step as Riven pulled the tie around my waist and pushed the robe from my shoulders. It fell to the bed, and I was bare to him. That glacier gaze raked over me and I felt it as if it was a physical caress.

His finger traced over one of the silver markings along my chest, and I gasped. Everything in me came alive in tiny sparks of pleasure embedded deep under my skin.

Riven’s eyes hooded. “Feel good?”

“Like heaven.”

He continued tracing with one hand, mapping out every glimmer of silver so thoroughly it would forever be imprinted on his brain. His other hand came up to palm my breast, his thumb circling my nipple. I pressed into his hold, seeking more of his touch, of this connection.

“Riven,” I breathed.

“So beautiful. I could watch you like this forever. Head thrown back, drowning in sensation.”

I moved then, shifting so that I was straddling him. Riven’s hard length pressed against my core through his boxer briefs, and I couldn’t hold back my moan. I rocked against him as he continued to stroke, his fingers playing me as if I were a musical instrument.

“Aura.” Riven’s thumb and forefinger twisted my nipple, and a wave of sensation cascaded through me. “You undo me.”

I wanted that. To bring this man who was so strong to his knees.

My fingers hooked in his boxer briefs, and I tugged them down. Riven was hard as steel but wrapped in silk. I sank onto him, my eyes fluttering at the delicious stretch, the feeling of fullness.

“Never felt anything as good as this. Anything as perfect.” Riven’s fingers stroked my markings in a quicker beat, and it was as if he was toying with my clit.

My eyes flared and my hand found the marks on Riven’s chest, those tiny lightning bolts of silver from the wound that had healed. Then I bent and flicked my tongue across one.

Riven cursed, and his hips thrust up into me as if I’d broken some barely-there control. I met him thrust for thrust, and we lost ourselves in a rhythm that was only us and this moment. The need to feel the cemented connection between us so strong.

My hand pressed to Riven’s stubbled cheek, needing to hold on, to see his eyes.

Those glacier orbs locked with mine. “Love you to the ends of the earth and beyond, Aura. I will for all my days.”

Tears filled my eyes at his beautiful words. At the knowledge that we had found our way back to one another after so much hurt and so many lies.

“I love you, Riven. A part of me always has. And now you have all of me.” I bent down and brushed my lips over one of the scars his father had given him, wanting to erase all the pain he’d ever experienced.

Riven pushed up, grabbing my face and bringing my lips to his as he thrust even deeper. My walls clamped down around him as Riven emptied into me. Waves of pleasure cascaded through me and as I came down, I collapsed onto his chest.

I pressed my lips to the spot over his heart. I had to hold onto the hope that Riven reminded me of. The hope that we could overcome anything. Because we already had.

18

I TOSSED and turned in that state that was somewhere between sleeping and awake. The covers twisted around me, but I hesitated to right them for fear of waking Riven. His chest rose and fell with a deepness that told me he was getting the kind of rest he truly needed. And I should’ve quickly followed him with how exhausted I was.

A faint breeze picked up in the room and I struggled to open my eyes, to search for the open window it was coming from. But I couldn’t seem to find my way to full wakefulness.

A whisper caught on the breeze, circling around me. A shiver wracked my body in response. As though it recognized the intrusion before my brain did.

A dark chuckle filled my mind.

You think you can run from me, Aura? You think you can hide?

My shaking only grew more intense. I knew that voice. King Zephyr.

I tried to thrash, to violently force myself fully awake. But it did no good.

It’ll be so much better for you if you just turn yourself over to me willingly.

I wanted to shout. To lash out and defend myself. But I couldn’t even speak. King Zephyr was holding me hostage in my own mind.

Your mother was beautiful. But she has nothing on you. I should’ve seen that you were more the moment they brought you to that damn school. Should’ve seen that you’d be just what I need.

Bile surged in my throat. It was as if his words carried with them a physical touch, one that made my skin crawl.

Come to me, Aura. You can rule by my side. No one will be able to stop us.

Some unknown switch flipped in the king then.

Come now! If you don’t, I’ll take them all from you. One by one.

Hands gripped my shoulders and I jerked awake with a silent scream, my voice still a captive of the dream.

Phoenix’s face filled my vision. I reacted on instinct, hurling myself at him. He caught me with an oomph and instantly rose, striding out of the room and down the hall as I shook in his arms. A moment later, he stepped into another dark room.

“L-light.” It was all I could get out. I needed to cast out the shadows, the remnants of whatever that had been.

Phoenix cursed but felt around on the wall until light filled the room. He crossed to the bed, setting me gently down. But I didn’t want to let him go. My hands fisted in his T-shirt, holding tight.

“What the hell happened?” he barked.

I opened and closed my mouth a few times before any words came out. “I-I don’t know.”

Phoenix’s dark eyes sparked as they swept over me, and smoky shadows swirled around him. It was as if he were looking for some invisible assailant. One who he would burn to ash the moment he found them.

“Something happened,” he growled.

“A nightmare. I think…” My hands trembled as I gripped his T-shirt tighter.

“You think?”

“I—it was King Zephyr. His voice.”

Phoenix went stock-still as flames erupted along his shoulders. “Air magic,” he hissed.

I remembered what Kai had told me about some air elementals having the ability to send their voices into people’s minds. “But we’re so far away. Is that really possible?”

Phoenix jerked his head in a nod. “It’s possible. Zephyr has always been talented at that little trick. What did he say?”

My body shook harder. “That I should come to him. That if I didn’t, he’d take you all from me one by one.”

Phoenix let free a series of curses that would’ve made a sailor blush. “That bastard.”

He pulled free of my hold on his shirt and began pacing the room. It was only then that I truly took the space in. It fit him. The combination of blacks and dark browns with gold accents. A large brown leather couch was positioned beneath a window as the perfect place to read or take an afternoon nap. Black-and-white photos decorated the walls that each had an industrial look.

I focused on every detail of the space so that I didn’t have to take in Phoenix’s rage. Because there was nothing we could do. Zephyr was king. He had protections unlike any other.

“I’m going to kill him,” Phoenix gritted out.

I leapt to my feet, his words jarring me out of my shaky haze. “Don’t talk like that,” I hissed.

My gaze jumped around the room as if some royal spy could’ve heard us in the middle of nowhere. What Phoenix spoke of was treason.

Sparks swirled around Phoenix. “You think I’ll let him get away with this? With hurting you? With terrorizing you?”

My heart hammered against my ribs. “I’m okay. He can’t touch me here.”

“But he got into your mind. Scared you so badly you were shaking like a damn leaf.” Phoenix’s hands fisted at his sides. “I knew something was wrong. You were sleeping and then you were rolling around in the bed. You moaned like you were in pain. And then you started to tremble. You shook your head back and forth like you were trying to tell someone no. Trying to tell him no.”

I swallowed hard, the memories battering against the walls I’d erected to keep them out. “Stop it.”

“Zephyr doesn’t get away with this. He’s not expecting me now. I’ll go tonight—”

I closed the distance then, pressing my hands to his chest. “No. Phoenix, please don’t.”

He stepped back instantly, away from my touch. Even though it wasn’t the first time, it cut deeper somehow.

I lifted my eyes to the onyx ones opposite me. “You’ll protect me with your life, but you can’t bear to touch me? Is that it?”

Grief streaked through Phoenix’s expression, and I knew in that moment that my words were true.

19

THE ANGUISH in Phoenix’s eyes cut me to my core. His breaths came in ragged pants. “I don’t deserve to touch you. I’ve brought too much pain into your life.”

Anger sparked, and I gave Phoenix a hard shove. “You only cause me pain when you push me away.”

Warring emotions played over Phoenix’s chiseled face. “I can’t, Aura.”

My chest cracked wide open. We’d been battling so much since we’d met. The shock of my elemental status, my newfound powers, revelation after revelation. Vicious mean girls, The Network, greedy kings, Aiden. We’d been hit again and again, but we’d always persevered. I wasn’t sure we could make it through this. Not if Phoenix was ready to throw everything away because of some stupid misplaced guilt.

Tears gathered in my eyes, a few spilling over and sliding down my cheeks. I made no move to wipe them away. “Please. Don’t do this.”

There was something in Phoenix’s expression. A crack in the armor he’d donned around me since Aiden’s attack.

I moved closer. “Don’t lock me out.”

A muscle ticked in Phoenix’s jaw.

I pressed a hand to his chest, right over his heart. “Don’t shove me away when I love you more than life.”

A shudder ran through him. “Aura.”

My name was a pained sound on Phoenix’s tongue.

My other hand slipped beneath his T-shirt, feeling the ridges of his abdominals. “Let me in.” More tears fell, a silent plea to come back to me. I was past the point of pride. I needed Phoenix. He completed some part of my soul. Sure, I might be able to live without him, but it wasn’t a life I’d want.

His hands slowly rose to cup my face, his thumbs brushing across my cheeks and clearing away the tears. “I love you, Aura. I always will.”

“Why does that feel like a goodbye?”

Phoenix was silent in the glow of the bedroom light.

Fuck that, I wasn’t going to make it easy on him. I stretched up on my tiptoes and pressed my mouth to his in a gentle pleading for entry. Phoenix’s mouth parted and my tongue slipped inside. My strokes were gentle and coaxing and he answered in equal measure, hesitant at first and then growing in urgency.

Phoenix’s hand slid down to my jaw, then my neck. His fingers fisted in my hair, demanding greater access. I gave it all to him.

My hand on his chest traveled down and slipped past the band of his sweatpants. My fingers wrapped around his cock, stroking in long, fluid pulls.

A growl reverberated from Phoenix’s mouth to mine, and a second later, I was hauled up into his arms. And then I was airborne. A shriek escaped me as I flew, landing on the bed with an oomph.

Phoenix prowled towards me. “You want this?” He pulled his T-shirt off in one swift move. “All of me?” He shucked his sweatpants. “Every last dark part?” His hand skimmed up the inside of my thigh, coming to a stop at the hem of my nightgown.

I met his stare, searching those onyx eyes. “Yes.” It was the only word I could ever give him.

Both hands fisted in my nightgown as he stared down at me, eyes sparking. “You’re sure about that?”

The menace in his voice was a challenge. Could I accept the beast that lived within? I looked up at him in challenge. “I’m sure.”

He moved in a flash, ripping my nightgown down the middle, so I was completely exposed to him.

A shocked sound escaped my lips as my body jerked with the action.

Phoenix’s eyes narrowed in a silent question. Had I changed my mind?

The answer to that was no. I sat up, leaning forward and taking him in my mouth. I licked and sucked as my hand worked his base. Phoenix let out a low moan.

The door flung open, and Kai barreled into the room. But I didn’t stop. I took Phoenix deeper into my mouth.

“Yes?” Phoenix growled.

“I heard a scream. But I guess it was a different kind…”

I thought for sure that Kai would leave, but instead, he closed the door and leaned against it. “You two making up?”

“Kai…” Phoenix gritted out.

Kai’s eyes grew hooded as he watched my lips glide over Phoenix’s cock. “I think you two need a chaperone. Just to make sure you’re moving in the right direction.”

Phoenix’s eyes flashed. As if Kai had challenged his ability to make me come. In one swift move, Phoenix pulled himself from my mouth and pushed me back on the bed. A second later, his face was between my thighs.

There was no gentle teasing. Phoenix’s tongue drove deep inside me, and my back arched as a moan slipped from my lips.

“Decent start,” Kai said casually from his perch against the door.

Phoenix growled and the sound sent all sorts of delicious vibrations through my core that had me squirming. “Don’t move,” he ordered.

But the flick of his tongue across my clit had me arching again. There was no way I couldn’t. Air wrapped around me, holding me in place.

I gasped and Phoenix chuckled.

“I told you not to move.”

“Hands above her head,” Kai said as he moved closer.

Phoenix did just that. His air wrapped around my wrists and forced them to the pillows above me. My breaths came in quick pants now. There was something about not being able to move that heightened every sensation.

Phoenix’s tongue circled my clit, and I thought I might explode.

Kai moved closer, glancing at Phoenix. There was some silent conversation between the two, and then Phoenix kneeled next to the bed. His hand came to my breasts. “So pretty all trussed up like this.”

The air keeping my hands in place above meant my back had arched and my breasts thrust up. Kai took full advantage. His thumb and forefinger twisted one nipple while he sucked the other deep.

The sound that escaped was more animal than human. Phoenix grinned against my core and slid two fingers inside.

My walls began to flutter, tightening in a way that I knew meant a hell of an orgasm was coming. Phoenix halted his ministrations, sending me a devilish grin. “Not yet.”

I let out a sound of protest, and Kai chuckled. “He’s right. This is going to last a little longer.”

With a flick of his hand, water swirled in the air. The tiny stream circled the peaks of my breasts, and my lips parted in a gasp. It was freezing, forcing my nipples into tight buds.

“Kai.” I wasn’t sure what I was asking for. Less? More?

“Take her, brother,” Kai said to Phoenix, his voice low and husky. “She’s yours. Made for you. For all of us. Stop messing around trying to push us all away for something that was never your fault. We all bring baggage to this. Risk. But if you walk away, they win.”

Flames lit along Phoenix’s shoulders as he stared down at the two of us, the war blazing inside him evident on his face. I held my breath, waiting. For a second, I thought he would leave, then he rose and parted my thighs.

He stared down at me, and something told me he was waiting for permission. This wasn’t the anger-fueled sex against the dorm. This was something else. A coming back together.

I looked deep into those onyx eyes. “Yes. Always yes.”

Phoenix slid inside on one long glide.

I finally breathed. A breath of relief. Of completeness. Of pleasure.

He thrust deeper, hitting that spot that had sparks dancing around me. The heat of Phoenix and the ice-cold water of Kai warred against each other in a battle for every ounce of my pleasure.

I sucked in air, trying to stay in the here and now, but they were taking me somewhere else. Instinctively, my own air gift reached out and wrapped around Kai’s cock, stroking him.

He groaned. “Pip…”

I knew I had Phoenix’s pleasure, the flames leaping off him a dead giveaway. But I wanted Kai’s too. I was greedy like that.

Phoenix’s hips arched and he took me harder. My eyes locked with his. “Give me all of you.”

It was all it took. That feral edge slipped into Phoenix, and he pounded into me. All I could move was my hips, but I met his every thrust. My own strokes of Kai deepened in their frenzied need.

Everything in me tightened, almost to the point of pain. And then I shattered. Coming apart into a million tiny pieces, in a cascade of magic. It was only my ties to the men around me that brought me back to earth.

And as we collapsed into a heap on the bed, I finally felt peace again.

20

I LET OUT a moan as I burrowed deeper beneath the covers. Kai curved himself around my back. “You keep making sounds like that and I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”

Phoenix chuckled, brushing the hair away from my face. “I’m right behind you.”

“Nuh-uh. Closed for sex for at least forty-eight hours,” I grumbled. Phoenix and Kai had made use of just about every hour of the night. My muscles ached, and I felt like I needed to soak in a bath for the next century.

Kai’s lips skimmed my ear. “I think we wore her out.”

“I think we did.” Phoenix’s thumbs brushed over my cheeks. “You okay?”

My eyes opened and I took in the concern in his. I could sense through our connection that it wasn’t just worry about my body. My hand pressed to his bare chest. “Did you come back to me?”

Emotion clouded those onyx eyes. “I came back to you.”

“Then I’m okay.”

“Just like that?” Phoenix pushed.

“Just like that.” I pinned him with a stare. “But if you do that again, I will give you the worst case of blue balls of your life. The kind that would permanently damage a man.”

Kai burst out laughing. “Our Pip is vicious. I like it.”

Phoenix leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. “I’m sorry. I hate hurting you. It felt necessary. There’s so much I wish I’d done differently.”

I lifted my hand to his face, relishing the feel of his stubble against my palm. “We all have regrets. But we can’t let them ruin the good in our lives.”

Phoenix’s jaw tightened. “I can’t turn off the thoughts and feelings, but I’ll fight through it.”

Kai reached over and squeezed Phoenix’s shoulder. “We’ll fight with you. If you feel like the demons are winning, you talk to us. That’s what this brotherhood has always been, and it’s even stronger now that we have a bond.”

My chest constricted. Kai had the best heart. Generous beyond measure, loyal, caring. He brought out the best in all of us.

“She’s getting teary,” Phoenix said.

I smacked his chest. “I’m just emotional thinking about how much I love you all.”

Kai nuzzled my neck. “I don’t think that forty-eight-hour sex ban is gonna last.”

I reached back and pinched his side.

“Ouch! That was uncalled for, Pip.”

“Come on, we need to get up.” I glanced at the clock on the nightstand and winced. It was after ten.

Kai reluctantly got to his feet, pulling on clothes.

I sat up and sent Phoenix a pointed stare. “Can I borrow something? Someone ruined my perfectly good nightgown.”

He didn’t even have the decency to look ashamed. In fact, he grinned. “I’m keeping that for the memories.”

“Caveman,” I huffed.

“Come on,” he motioned, “I’ve got a few sets of clothes for you in here.”

Someone had stocked the house well. I pulled on a luxurious bra and underwear set and then jeans and the softest tee. There were even a couple pairs of Converse. After brushing my teeth, I stepped back out into the bedroom. Kai was gone, but Phoenix was waiting for me.

He opened his arms, and I instantly went to him. His lips skimmed over my hair. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“I hate that you were in so much pain you felt like you had no choice. I love you, Phee. All your darkness and shadows, all your light and goodness. I love you in every incarnation you could possibly be.”

He gripped me tighter. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Maybe none of us deserve each other, but we’re so damn lucky to have this. And we’re not going to take it for granted.”

Phoenix bent to kiss me. “No, we’re not.”

“Good.” I took his hand and led him out the door. “Now, I need food.”

Phoenix chuckled. “Can’t have you starving on our watch.”

We headed down the stairs, and the moment we reached the kitchen, Riven’s and Atlas’s eyes cut to us. The corner of Atlas’s mouth kicked up. “Are we better?”

The hopeful look in Atlas’s eyes had me releasing Phoenix’s hand and hurrying over to him. I wrapped my arms around my gentle giant and squeezed.

“We’re good,” Phoenix said. “But Aura needs food.”

My stomach rumbled at that, and everyone laughed.

Riven lifted the lid on a serving dish. “We’ve got you covered.”

There were heaping servings of scrambled eggs mixed with veggies, sausage, and biscuits.

“Did someone say food?” Kai yelled as he descended the stairs.

Atlas gave me a gentle shove forward. “You better get in there before he does, there won’t be anything left for you.”

“I heard that, asshole,” Kai called.

“I wasn’t whispering,” Atlas shot back.

But I already had my plate in hand and was shoveling food onto it.

Riven shook his head as Kai tried to shove me out of the way. “I guess we should just be thankful he’s clothed.”

“No shit,” Phoenix agreed, grabbing a plate.

“I don’t appreciate your judgmentalness,” Kai said. “I’m just thankful I’ve got an order of muumuus coming in a couple of days. Then I can be free without your smartass comments.”

Atlas choked on a strangled laugh. “Can’t wait to see those.”

There was a series of beeps and Riven pulled a phone from his pocket. His eyes scanned the screen, and his face went pale.

I quickly set my plate on the counter. “What’s wrong?”

“My father. He’s going to war.”

Everyone in the room was instantly on alert.

Phoenix moved in closer, his gaze zeroing in on Riven’s phone. “Is he readying the army?”

Riven shook his head. “Not that kind of war.”

We all gave him perplexed looks.

Riven swallowed hard. “He’s accusing me of trying to take his life. His guard is backing up his account. I’ll be tried for treason.”

21

ICE SLID THROUGH MY VEINS. “He said he’d take you all from me. One by one.”

Riven jerked upright. “What?”

Phoenix moved into my side, wrapping his arms around me. “Last night Zephyr sent air messages to Aura’s mind. She was half-asleep and couldn’t wake up.”

Atlas gaped at us. “That isn’t done.”

Kai’s teeth ground together. “This isn’t the first time that asshole has done this.”

Rage pulsed through Riven, from his body to his face to his eyes. “And why didn’t you tell us this?”

“It wouldn’t have done any good. There’s been enough stress and fear. We didn’t need any more, and there’s nothing any of us could’ve done about it,” I argued.

Riven rounded the counter. “What did he say?”

There was no getting around this, I had to tell him. But the last thing I wanted was him taking his father’s actions on his shoulders the way Phoenix had done with Aiden’s. I swallowed hard. “The first time it was something about making me scream the same way he had my mother.”

The earth beneath us rumbled, and my gaze shot to Atlas. His nostrils flared. “I’m going to kill that man.”

“Not today you’re not,” I shot back. “We’re going to be smart about this, not walk straight into his trap.”

“She’s right,” Phoenix said. “We need to be strategic.”

“What did he say last night?” Riven demanded.

I toyed with the hem of Phoenix’s T-shirt. “He kept oscillating between threats and promises. He told me I couldn’t run from him. And then he said that if I came to him, we could rule the elemental world together. Then he was threatening to take all of you.”

My voice cracked at that piece and Phoenix held me tighter. Atlas moved in so that I felt cocooned by them. His lips pressed to my temple. “No one is going to take any of us.”

“I need to call my father,” Kai said, pulling out his phone. “We need to know what the word is from the royal council.”

“Royal council?” I asked. I’d never heard that term before.

Phoenix’s fingers combed through my hair in soothing strokes. “It’s supposed to bind us together. There are certain things all the kingdoms have agreed to in exchange for being a member of the royal council.”

I looked at him in confusion. “But Kai told me about all the ways King Zephyr has been attacking the other kingdoms. That’s allowed?”

“It’s never been proven,” Atlas explained. “People have brought forward accusations, but the council is powerless unless there is irrefutable proof.”

“And who’s on the council?” I needed to know if they would be on our side.

“Each of the kings and one other member that’s elected from each kingdom. It’s supposed to keep the balance between monarchy and democracy,” Phoenix said.

Well, it wasn’t doing a very good job in my opinion.

Kai punched a series of buttons on his phone and then positioned it so that we could all see the device. It rang twice and then King Torrent, Aenon as he told me to call him, filled the screen. “I was just about to call you.”

“Gonna tell me the sky is falling?” Kai asked.

“You know.” It wasn’t a question.

“You’ve got us all.” He motioned for us to make ourselves visible. “We’re at the safe house.”

King Torrent breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. You’ll be secure there.”

Kai ran a hand through his hair. “What the hell is going on?”

“You tell me first. What happened last night?”

Kai let out a low growl. “Zephyr poisoned Riven. Black hemlock.”

King Torrent stilled. “That’s not possible. He wouldn’t still be breathing.”

“I wasn’t for a minute there,” Riven said, glancing at me. “Aura saved me.”

The king’s eyes flared. “I know Aura is powerful, but even an aether couldn’t bring someone back from that. It must have been something else—”

“She’s Quintessence, Dad. Not just an aether, but a Quintessence aether,” Kai cut in.

King Torrent sucked in a sharp breath. “It’s not possible…”

I moved closer to the phone and lifted my hand. I had taken off the fake bandage last night. All along my palm were silver markings where my deep gash had healed. “As far as we can tell, it’s true.”

The king merely stared in wonder.

“Dad,” Kai barked.

He jerked and blinked a few times. “Sorry, I just—I never thought I would see something like this. We’ve prayed for the return of the aethers for as long as I can remember, but a Quintessence? It’s a miracle. Truly.”

I felt the weight of those words heavy on my shoulder. Atlas squeezed my hand, seeming to sense my burden. I burrowed into his side, seeking that peaceful comfort that only came from him.

“What is the council saying?”

King Torrent’s face hardened. “Zephyr called an emergency meeting this morning. He made a case for Riven making an attempt on his life.”

“Fucker,” Phoenix fumed.

“That’s the only word for him,” the king agreed.

Riven cleared his throat. “What was the consensus?”

King Torrent’s expression gentled as he focused on Riven, the way a father would look at a son. And I couldn’t help but wish Aenon would’ve been Riven’s father too. “There wasn’t one. We all agreed there wasn’t enough evidence given everything that was currently going on. Of course, Terra used it as an excuse to stir up trouble, saying we needed to bring Riven in until an investigation could occur.”

Atlas stiffened, his muscles going tight. “Of course, he did.”

Riven stared out the window. “If they bring me in, I’m dead. One of the guards will take me out.”

A shudder wracked my body and I released Atlas, moving to Riven’s side and wrapping my arms around him. “They’re not taking you.”

“There’s nowhere we can go. Eventually, every inch of the kingdoms will be searched. Not even this place will be safe,” Riven said.

“I’ve been thinking about that,” King Torrent cut in.

Kai scrubbed a hand over his face. “We’ll take any ideas you’ve got.”

“Kingwood is neutral territory. No one can act there without Headmaster Acker’s permission. It’s the one domain where a royal isn’t in charge.”

Phoenix’s eyes flared. “If we get him on our side, we could be safe there.”

The king nodded. “You’ll need to be certain he’s telling you the truth, not prying you out of hiding to get Riven arrested. But Acker strikes me as a straight shooter.”

“We can call Quincy,” I suggested. “We know he’s on our side and he can give us a lay of the land.”

“That’s a good idea,” King Torrent agreed.

“Are they searching now?” Riven asked.

King Torrent’s lips pursed. “I’m afraid so. It’s not officially sanctioned, but because there wasn’t a consensus one way or the other, Zephyr has some wiggle room.”

Riven’s teeth clenched. “Understood.”

“Call Quincy. And keep me up-to-date on all your progress. You know I’ll have your back however I can.”

“Thank you,” I said, pushing all the meaning I could into those two words.

King Torrent dipped his head in reverence. “You have my everlasting loyalty, Queen of Quintessence.” And with that, he ended the call.

But the words echoed in my brain. People were going to expect me to change the world, and I might not even be able to save the men I loved most.

22

THE ROOM WAS COMPLETELY silent in the wake of King Torrent signing off the video chat, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. Each one felt like a weight on my shoulders, shoulders that weren’t even close to strong enough.

Phoenix cleared his throat. “We should call Quincy.”

“Let’s just all take a breath for a moment,” Atlas said.

My gentle giant always sensed when his bond was on edge. Atlas moved in to where I stood next to Riven, still grasping his hand. Atlas brushed the hair away from my face. “You okay?”

I couldn’t speak, couldn’t find the words. My throat was so tight it was a wonder I could even breathe. Kai and Phoenix crossed to us, concern lining their features.

“Pip?” Kai asked, taking my free hand.

Phoenix simply stared at me, as if he studied me hard enough, he’d be able to see exactly what I was thinking. And maybe he could. I could feel the Quintessence bond deepening. Those tethers that tied us together were growing stronger every day. I could sense my guys now, feel them before I even saw them coming into a room.

Kai’s thumb swept back and forth on my hand, returning me to the present moment. I swallowed, trying to clear the tension in my throat. “What if I can’t do this?”

It was the truth I’d never truly spoken out loud. What if the elemental people never accepted me? What if they rioted at the idea of me becoming queen? What if I wasn’t able to bring people together?

Phoenix pushed in closer. “Aura, you were born for this.”

“Just because I was born for it, doesn’t mean I can carry it out. I still know so little about the elemental world. Its history. Its traditions. Its people. And those people may want me nowhere near them. Students at Kingwood certainly feel that way.”

“Not the ones that have gotten to know you,” Riven said.

I huffed. “Yeah, Drue and Xena seem real fond of me.”

Atlas framed my face with both hands. “They don’t know you. Not truly.”

“What about Kerry?” My voice broke on the question, heart still tender from her betrayal.

Atlas looked deep into my eyes. “That was her brokenness. It has nothing to do with you. What have you been telling Phoenix? That you can’t take on someone else’s actions. People at Kingwood and beyond just need a chance to know you. The kindness in your soul will shine through. Your selflessness.”

“He’s right,” Riven said. “There’s no one I’ve ever met who’s more caring and giving than you. What you’ve done to help Janine and Charlie over the years? I’ve never seen anything like it.”

My chest burned at that. God, I missed them. The thought sent a bolt of panic shooting through me. “They’re okay, right? What happens when the search expands? Could they be found?”

If King Zephyr got ahold of Janine and Charlie, he’d torture them just to get me to turn myself over to them.

Phoenix squeezed my shoulder. “I checked in with the guards last night and they’re fine.”

Kai’s mouth pressed into a hard line. “But we need to stop the search to be safe. If the air guard knows where we are, there will be no reason to look anywhere else.”

“We need to go back to Kingwood.”

Kai nodded, tapping a contact on his phone. “But first, we need to make sure it’s safe.”

The device rang several times before an out-of-breath Quincy filled the screen. “Hello?”

Kai’s brow quirked. “Are you in a janitor’s closet?”

The older man glared through the phone. “When I saw it was you, I knew I needed privacy. This was the best I could do with no notice.”

“We appreciate it,” Riven said, trying to smooth things over.

Worry creased the man’s brow. “Are you okay?”

“Thanks to Aura, I am. My father tried to poison me with black hemlock.”

Quincy gasped. “Good gods.”

“We need your help,” Atlas cut in. “The air guard is searching for Riven—”

“Looking for Aura more likely,” Phoenix cut in.

We all turned to stare at him.

His eyes sparked as he struggled to keep his anger under control. “Do you really think Zephyr gives two shits about Riven? It’s Aura he wants. Riven was just a means to an end.”

Riven swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “He’s right. My father would love to end me if he could, but it’s Aura that he’s becoming obsessed with.”

A chill skated down my spine.

“That’s not going to happen,” Atlas growled, the ground beneath us trembling with his words.

I patted his chest. “No, it’s not. We’re going to figure out a way for all of us to stay safe.” I put as much confidence as I could into those words, I just wished I felt that certainty within me as well.

Kai turned back to the phone. “What’s going on at Kingwood?”

Quincy blew out a shaky breath. “Things are a mess. Students are divided on what they think really happened. A portion believes King Zephyr’s accusations. But I’d say the majority are suspicious. They know that kings can become desperate when it looks like their reign is coming to an end.”

“What about Acker?” Riven asked.

This was what mattered most. The headmaster. He held our lives in his hands.

Quincy grinned. “He knows it’s a bunch of baloney.”

A tiny flicker of relief made its way through me.

“Is he willing to back up those thoughts?” Phoenix pressed.

All amusement fled Quincy’s face. “Are you thinking of coming back?”

Kai nodded. “My father thinks Kingwood is the safest place for us right now, and we agree. But only if Acker is willing to stand his ground. It’s a lot to ask of a headmaster.”

Quincy straightened. “Kenneth is one of the most honorable men I have ever met in my life. He has told me that he is determined to keep Kingwood as neutral ground, that he won’t permit any searches of the grounds.”

“But aren’t there air guards already on campus?” I asked. Carn, one of my two main protectors, was from the air kingdom. My stomach twisted at the thought of him handing me over.

“Headmaster Acker has already requested that all air guards return to their kingdoms given what has happened,” Quincy explained.

“You might want to send the Terra guards home as well. I’m sure my father would be more than happy to turn Riven over to Zephyr,” Atlas muttered.

The corners of Quincy’s mouth pulled down. “I’ll have a word with him about that. We may need to send everyone home other than your personal guards.”

My heart lurched at that. “What about The Network? Or if the entire air guard shows up on campus? We’d never be able to defend ourselves.” Although now that Aiden wasn’t feeding The Network information on me, those attacks would hopefully die down. The air guard was the true threat.

Phoenix squeezed my shoulder. “If The Network or the Kingdom of Zephyr move on Kingwood, my father and Kai’s will send their entire armies through the portal.”

I looked up at him. “You’re sure?”

He nodded. “I texted him while we were talking to King Torrent. He has our back.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. We could be safe. “Let’s go back to Kingwood.”

The guys nodded.

Kai gave Quincy a chin lift. “We’ll see you soon.”

Quincy looked grave. “Stay safe. Call if you need anything.”

We agreed, and the video call disconnected. I let out a shaky breath. “Let’s clean up breakfast and go. I don’t want to wait.”

Kai looked longingly at his plate of food. “But—”

Atlas clapped him on the shoulder. “Make it into a breakfast sandwich and take it to go.”

Kai beamed. “I love you, you genius man.”

Atlas chuckled.

A faint whistling sounded that had me looking towards the back windows. It resembled the noise a firework made before it exploded into a glorious light display.

“Down!” Phoenix shouted.

He threw himself on top of me, taking us both to the floor in a painful tackle.

Glass shattered. An explosion sounded. And then there was fire everywhere.

23

THE WALL of flames that erupted in the living room had me struggling to suck in a breath as panic seized me. Phoenix’s hands roamed over my body, checking for injuries. “Were you hit? Are you hurt?”

My ribs and shoulder ached from the fall, but I wasn’t burned. I knew that feeling all too well. “I’m okay,” I croaked.

Kai sent a massive wave of water into the fire, dousing it in a matter of seconds. He stared down at his hands. “I have more power.”

“It’s the bond,” Atlas said. “I’ve been feeling it for weeks.”

“I think that’s good, because we’re going to need it.” I lifted a hand, pointing towards at least two dozen men and women marching towards our home, the place that was supposed to be safe from the entire outside world. They wore a familiar uniform. The one I’d seen on the guards at the Zephyr palace.

Riven let loose a stream of curses. “We need to move. Get to the SUV.”

We struggled to our feet, the guys shielding me as we ran towards the front of the house. The guards approaching from the other side yelled something I couldn’t hear. A second later, a series of fireballs flew over our heads. We put them out one by one, each using our strongest element to do so. Earth and water were pretty even for me, but I went with water today, blasting each one as it landed.

“Hurry!” Kai yelled. “They’re gaining.”

Riven tore open the front door and just as he did, a massive boulder landed in the middle of the SUV we’d planned to use for our escape.

I gasped. “Should the guards in your father’s army have such strong affinities for other elements?”

Riven gritted his teeth. “He’s always kept those with the strongest power for his own personal guard. I think this is that group.”

Atlas cursed. “We have to make a run for it. If we stay here, they’ll trap us. I’m sure they’ve called for reinforcements by now.”

“Stay in the middle of us, Aura,” Phoenix commanded.

“Let’s just all watch each other’s backs and get there as quickly as possible.”

Kai glared at me. “In the middle of us, Pip.”

If Kai, the most laid-back of our bond, was forcing the issue, I knew I had no choice. “Fine. Let’s go.” It didn’t mean I couldn’t use my affinities.

“One, two, three,” Atlas commanded.

On three, we charged out of the house and towards the trees that would give us some semblance of cover. Air swirled around us, trying to knock us off our feet, but we fought to counter it with magic, weighing ourselves down with air and earth magic.

When the guards saw that wouldn’t work, the fireballs and rocks and ice began. Weapons of elements. The guys cursed as they ducked and dodged, throwing up shields made of their own affinities. But nothing was pointed at me.

“Go in front of me!” I shouted.

“Are you crazy?” Riven barked.

“No, I’m smart. They aren’t shooting at me.”

“Doesn’t mean they won’t,” Phoenix yelled. “Stay in formation.”

I let out a growl as we kept running for the woods. I shifted my body, trying to see over my shoulder. A guard crouched low, aiming at Phoenix’s back. He let free a fireball the size of my head. I threw up an arm, sending a log into the air and batting away the fireball as if it were a baseball. It went careening back into the guard. He screamed, swallowed by his own flames.

The guilt that had swamped me when I’d taken a life before didn’t find me now. The only feeling surging in me was relief at dispatching the threat.

“On your right!” Kai yelled, as he blocked an arrow with a stream of water.

Atlas threw up a blast of earth to block a rain of ice bullets from reaching us.

What the hell were these guards souped up on?

“It’s like they’re on supernatural steroids,” Kai clipped.

“They probably are,” Riven gritted out.

A deafening boom sounded as a fireball landed directly in our path just inches from Riven. I hauled him back with a muffled scream.

“Shit,” he breathed. “That was close.”

“Too close,” I growled.

I turned, surveying our assailants. There were more than I had thought. At least three dozen and that didn’t include the ones we’d already taken out. “This isn’t going to work. We have to stop. We have to fight.”

It was the last thing I wanted to do. All I wanted was to get to that damn portal and get back to Kingwood, but I wanted my entire bond with me. I wasn’t going to lose a single one of them.

“She’s right,” Kai heaved. “They’re going to start picking us off one by one.”

And that was exactly what King Zephyr had threatened, wasn’t it? My heart lurched. That wasn’t happening.

The guys formed a half-circle around me. Crouching low and studying the advancing guard.

“We need to go on the attack. No more simple defense,” Phoenix ordered.

“Use your affinities in unexpected ways,” Riven said. “My dad’s a traditionalist, his training was too.”

An unexpected way? I had no idea what that meant.

Atlas placed a palm to the ground and a wave of earth rose like a weaponized earthquake. It threw the guards’ balance off, they faltered and stumbled, their elemental offensive thrown off course.

The moment they were distracted, the rest of the guys began picking them off. Cutting off their air supplies, ice bullets to the brain, fireballs. I struggled to keep up, using whatever gifts instinctively came to my fingertips. But my aim wasn’t as good as the guys’ aim.

I cursed as the guards got their footing again. Atlas’s chest heaved at the exertion the earthquake wave had taken out of him. This wasn’t good. The guards were fighting back and more fiercely than before.

Panic seized me as an ice spear sliced Atlas’s arm. It was followed quickly by rage. Fury at what Zephyr and his men were trying to do.

The guys in front of me jerked.

“What was that?” Kai barked.

“I felt a power burst,” Atlas said.

My emotions. They were fueling my bond.

“It’s me,” I said as Phoenix narrowly dodged a fireball.

I grabbed hold of the rage burning inside me, and then I pressed a hand to the silver markings on my chest.

“Holy hell,” Kai muttered.

“It’s like a damn supercharge,” Phoenix echoed.

I closed my eyes, trusting that my men would protect me, and focused only on sending all my energy to them. The noises of battle rose around me. But I kept right on sending that energy.

Screams pierced the air, and my eyes flew open. Half the air guard had been decimated, and I’d never seen my guys at greater power. Atlas used a large pine to steamroll three guards. Kai had a tornado of water pulling two guards into its cyclone. A wall of fire burned towards several more. And three others were grasping at their throats as if they couldn’t breathe.

“It’s her!” a female guard shouted. “She’s giving them power. Take her out!”

The words had just left her lips when an ice spear hurtled towards me from the side. A guard had silently slipped around to where I didn’t have cover. A burst of power surged in me and coursed into my bond. I thrust up a hand, trying to block the spear with my air, but it was too late.

The spear struck my chest with such force that I was thrown to the ground. Shouts sounded around me. The world went blurry. And then there was nothing but a sea of black.

24

MY EYES FLUTTERED OPEN, the world slowly coming into focus.

“She’s waking up,” Riven barked.

“We need to move,” Phoenix said. “More could be coming.”

Atlas gingerly lifted me into his arms. “I’ve got her.”

I let out a moan as he lifted me.

Pain streaked through his expression. “I’m sorry, Pip. I have to.”

“It’s okay,” I said weakly.

Everything hurt. My entire body felt as if I’d run a marathon. Or had the worst flu imaginable for weeks on end. And my chest? It was on fire.

Atlas pressed his lips to my forehead and his long strides ate up the ground. “We healed the worst of it, but there isn’t enough time for a complete healing.”

“I’ll be fine,” I croaked.

“Damn straight,” Kai said, a fierceness in his tone I’d rarely heard from him.

He, Riven, and Phoenix picked up a protective formation around us as we made our way through the forest, and I assumed, towards the portal. Every breath I took felt like fire. Had that spear pierced my heart? Taken out a lung? I’d never felt this bad after a healing, not even when I’d been shot in the chest.

“I can feel her pain,” Phoenix growled.

Riven’s jaw clenched. “We all can.”

“Why is it so much worse than before?” Kai asked.

Atlas picked up his pace. “I think it’s because she gave us so much power, her body didn’t have any reserves to help with the healing.”

The rest of the guys let loose a series of expletives.

Everyone was silent on our way to the portal. I tried to keep my face a blank mask, but I knew Atlas caught sight of every wince I couldn’t hide.

“I’m so sorry, Pip,” he rumbled.

“It’s okay. We’re almost there.” At least I prayed we were.

“I’ll run ahead and check the portal,” Phoenix said.

I opened my mouth to argue, to tell him he shouldn’t go alone, but Atlas just shook his head. I snapped my mouth closed.

The rest of us waited at the edge of the forest, watching. Phoenix jogged to the portal. No stray guards jumped out, and once he’d stuck his head into the energy orb, he motioned us forward.

“I texted Sariah,” Riven said. “She’s meeting us at the portal outside campus.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Kai asked.

“I trust her,” I whispered. Everything felt heavy. My limbs, my chest, my head.

“We need her help.” Riven’s head inclined in my direction the slightest bit.

“Fine,” Kai clipped.

We hurried into the portal, and the familiar wave of energy swept over us. A few seconds later, we were stepping out into the field outside campus. The moment we did, Sariah ran over to us. “What happened?”

Phoenix’s jaw flexed. “An ice spear.”

Sariah cursed as her hands hovered over me.

Atlas trembled the barest amount. “We healed her the best we could, but it wasn’t safe to stay where we were.”

“Clearly,” Sariah snapped.

I felt the telltale heat of healing course through me and let out a low moan of pain. The guys were by my side in a flash. Phoenix pressed his forehead to mine, while Riven took one hand and Kai the other.

After a few moments, the worst of the pain subsided. Sariah stepped away, sweat dotting her brow. “That was a bad one.”

“We think it’s because her power was so tapped,” Atlas explained.

Sariah nodded. “That would make sense. Let’s get you back to campus. There’s going to be an uproar when you return.”

I winced. This time it wasn’t from pain.

I patted Atlas’s chest. “I can walk now.”

He just grunted.

“Really. I feel so much better.”

“Not putting you down, Pip.”

I sighed. “I look ridiculous.”

“If you’re in my arms, I know you’re safe.”

My heart squeezed at that. I turned into Atlas, pressing my lips to his chest. “Love you.”

“Love you too.” But there was no smile accompanying those words. The weight of the day was still laying too heavy on my gentle giant’s shoulders.

It didn’t take us long to pass through the campus gates. The gargoyles atop the pillars studied us carefully as we passed and I hoped if it was an enemy approaching, they would’ve fried their asses.

Moving in the direction of Crown Hall, eyes tracked our every move. Students all but tripped as they caught sight of us, and they stopped to blatantly stare and whisper.

“I hate this,” I muttered.

“I know.” Atlas nuzzled my neck. “It’ll pass.”

I highly doubted that. There was always one thing or another keeping us the focus of attention. I was over it. My chest squeezed at the reminder that I would never have a life of anonymity again. Not if I was truly destined to rule.

I swallowed hard. I guessed I would just have to make peace with it. That or become really good at tuning it all out.

A handful of guards rushed towards us. I recognized the faces of each one as those who had worked most closely with the princes. Relief flooded me.

Each one shouted questions.

Riven held up a hand to silence them all. “We’re okay. The air guard was dispatched to our safe house, but we made it out. Aura was injured, but she’ll make a full recovery.”

Egan’s head dipped. “We should’ve been with you.”

Phoenix gripped his closest guard’s shoulder. “You know you couldn’t accompany us to Zephyr. There’s nothing you could’ve done.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Egan growled.

Warmth spread through me at the ferocity and loyalty in the fire guard.

The rest of the guards grew silent as another stepped forward. Someone I didn’t think I’d see again. Carn moved almost hesitantly, his head bowed in respect and submission.

“What are you still doing here?” Riven’s voice had a cold edge.

Carn swallowed. “I have broken ties with the air guard. I would like to still serve our aether.”

Everyone was silent for a moment.

Riven studied him carefully. “Why?”

I knew Atlas would be analyzing the guard’s words for any hint of a lie.

Carn lifted his head and met Riven’s stare. “I’ve seen how she treats everyone. Fair. With more kindness than she should at times. Nothing like King Zephyr. If I’m going to serve someone, I choose her.”

Riven’s jaw worked back and forth as he struggled with what to say.

I reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I believe him.”

We looked at Atlas in question. He nodded. “I don’t sense any deception.”

Carn looked hopeful. “I can stay?”

He’d taken a hell of a risk. If we sent him back now, he’d surely be executed.

“You can stay.”

I just hoped this wasn’t a huge mistake.

25

ATLAS SETTLED me on the couch in our living room. The soft cushions felt like heaven after all I’d been through today. I wasn’t in nearly as much pain, but my muscles still ached.

Riven handed me a glass filled with a lavender liquid that bubbled. “Here. Drink this. It’ll help restore your strength.”

“And I bet he made it actually taste good,” Sariah said with a grin.

My gaze flicked back to Riven and he shrugged. “A strong air gift comes in handy sometimes. This one is mixed berry. The best I could do.”

I took a hesitant sip. The taste of strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries played on my tongue. “That’s amazing.”

Sariah scrunched up her nose. “It wouldn’t be if Riven hadn’t worked his magic.”

I didn’t let myself think about what might be in the concoction. I just drank it down.

A commotion sounded outside the front door.

“Get your hands off me, Carn,” Eva snarled.

“You aren’t permitted inside until you’ve been searched, and permission obtained,” he told her calmly.

“Then bloody search me,” she growled.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. What I didn’t have energy for today was Eva.

“I’m sorry,” Riven said softly. “I can talk to her outside.”

I shook my head. I didn’t want her to think she had power over me.

A few seconds later, the door opened, and Carn stepped inside. “Ms. Eva would like to see you, Your Highness.”

“I’m right here,” Eva snapped. “I can speak for myself.”

“It’s all right, Carn. Thank you for being so thorough,” Riven said.

Eva huffed.

The second Carn closed the door behind himself, Eva rushed to Riven. “What happened? I know you didn’t try to assassinate your father. You might wish you could, but you’d never act on it.”

“Wouldn’t be so sure about that, Ice Queen,” Kai said, plopping down next to me on the couch.

Her lip curled in his direction. “I didn’t ask you.” She turned back to Riven. “What happened?”

Phoenix took a seat on my other side, his hand slipping beneath my hair and kneading my neck. “Zephyr tried to assassinate Riv.”

Eva paled. A second later, color surged back into her cheeks, and she whirled on me. “This is all because of you. I warned you, but you wouldn’t listen. You selfish little—”

“Enough!” Riven roared.

Eva jerked as if she’d never heard Riven raise his voice before.

“You. Know. Nothing,” he growled.

The color drained from Eva’s face once again. “Riven—”

“Silence.” Riven prowled towards Eva. “Aura is my mate. Her soul is bound to mine in a way you’ll never understand. And I wouldn’t want it any other way. The only thing she has done from the very beginning is given me far more grace than I deserve. She’s fought for me when no one else would’ve. And yesterday?”

Eva swallowed.

“She saved my damn life when my father poisoned me with black hemlock.”

Eva gasped. “That isn’t possible.”

“Sure is, Ice Queen,” Kai said almost lazily.

Sariah looked between all of us. “Black hemlock?”

Atlas nodded. “I saw it with my own eyes. Riv’s veins turned black, and it was taking root in his heart.”

“Aura pulled it all out of him,” Phoenix said. “At great cost to herself. Just like she gave us all a power boost today that almost cost her life. A power boost we wouldn’t have survived the battle without. So, if you’re still pulling some pissy jealousy act over Aura, just remember Riven wouldn’t be alive without her. She’s saved him more times than you’ll ever know.”

Tears brimmed in Eva’s eyes. The image was so shocking my jaw almost dropped. I’d never seen her anything but threatening or composed.

“You saved him?” Her voice broke on the word saved.

“I’ll always save him,” I said honestly.

Riven’s demeanor gentled. “She loves me, the same way I love her. I need you to see that. Because if you don’t let go of whatever animosity you have towards her, I won’t hesitate to cut you out of my life.”

Pain streaked across Eva’s face. “I’m sorry. I knew the danger she would bring into your life—”

“Through no fault of her own,” Atlas rumbled.

“I know. I just—” Eva’s gaze pulled to me. “—I was jealous. Riven and I have always had each other’s backs. I felt like I was losing my best friend.”

Damn it. I could hold onto my anger when Eva was cold and cruel, but her actually being vulnerable? I took a deep breath and pushed to my feet.

“I’m not trying to steal your best friend. I know things are different now and it’ll take time for all of us to adjust. But let’s all try to give each other the benefit of the doubt, okay?”

Eva bit the inside of her cheek and nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”

“The guys and I usually do family dinners on Fridays. Why don’t you come next time? You too, Sariah.”

Eva’s brows rose. “Really?”

I laughed. “I actually liked you when I first met you. It was only when the claws came out that I didn’t.”

Sariah tried to cover her laugh with a cough.

Eva blushed. “I liked you too. You keep Kai in his place.”

“Don’t be jealous, Ice Queen,” he shot back.

She rolled her eyes then sent me a hesitant smile. “I’d love to come to dinner.”

“Me too,” Sariah said with a smile. “No one usually invites us low-affinity folks to stuff.”

I frowned. “That’s bullshit.”

She grinned. “I knew I liked you.”

The door opened again, and Carn stepped inside. “Quincy and Headmaster Acker are here. They said they needed to speak with you about something. That it was important.”

And just like that, all the warm and fuzzies of mending bridges fled. What now?

26

THE GUYS immediately got to their feet and Riven turned to Eva and Sariah. “Will you excuse us, ladies?”

Eva pursed her lips but nodded.

Sariah looked at me. “I’ll be back to make sure you’re healing as you should. It wouldn’t hurt to down another healing concoction before you go to sleep tonight.”

Atlas wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side. “We’ll make sure she does.”

“Bossy,” I huffed.

He brushed his lips along my temple. “Caring.”

“You just gotta be all charming so I don’t argue with you.”

“Because he’s not stupid,” Kai said.

Eva and Sariah made their way out as Quincy and Headmaster Acker came in. Quincy made a beeline for me, pulling me into a gentle hug. “Are you okay? I heard you were injured.” He pulled back but kept hold of my shoulders.

“I’m fine now. The guys and Sariah healed me.”

Quincy’s shoulders sagged in relief as his eyes scanned the room. “And the rest of you?”

The corner of Phoenix’s mouth quirked up. “Nothing we haven’t dealt with before.”

“Those assholes didn’t stand a chance,” Kai clipped.

But Riven wasn’t quite so cocky. There were shadows in his eyes. It was a hell of a burden, knowing that your father had sent mercenaries after not only you, but those you cared about most in this world, too.

Headmaster Acker moved towards Riven and gripped his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Riven. You don’t deserve this. I’ve never liked your father, but I never suspected he would stoop this low. To accuse his own son of treason?”

Riven’s throat worked. “It’s not the worst thing he’s done to me.”

My mind flashed to the scars that riddled Riven’s torso. The image had rage surging inside me, and the ground rumbled beneath my feet.

Everyone’s gazes jumped to me. Atlas grinned. “I guess you’re feeling better.”

Riven chuckled, crossing to me and pulling me into his arms. His lips pressed to the top of my head. “I’m fine, Pip.”

Turning into him, I pressed my lips to his chest. “You weren’t though. You were all alone with your father and his cruelty.”

Riven held me tighter against him. “I’m not all alone now.”

Tears burned the backs of my eyes. “No, none of us are.”

I looked around the room at the men I’d fallen head over heels in love with. We’d formed our own kind of family. It wasn’t one of blood, but it was stronger than that. One where we were all accepted and loved.

The click of a camera sounded, and my head snapped up.

Kai was holding up a cell phone in my and Riven’s direction. He gave a sheepish shrug. “You were having a moment. It needed to be memorialized.”

Phoenix smacked the back of Kai’s head. “Put your phone on silent before you do it next time.”

Headmaster Acker shook his head at their antics. “I need to walk through what happened. Did your father really poison you with black hemlock?”

Riven nodded.

“That was after he slit one of his servant’s throats for talking to Aura,” Atlas added.

Headmaster Acker’s eyes flashed. “I can’t imagine working in that palace.”

My throat tightened as I remembered Mayla and the guard who had stayed behind to try to protect us. “She said that King Zephyr was obsessed with my mother. That he had a room covered with photos of her and documents that tracked her movements.”

The guys stiffened at that. They’d heard some of this but not everything.

A muscle fluttered in Riven’s cheek. “He’s always had a twisted mind, but stalking an innocent?”

Quincy stepped forward. “What was your mother’s name, dear?”

“Ciela. I don’t know her last name, just that she came from an aether line. My…aunt told me that her family had done what they could to hide their lineage but that someone found out. They followed her one night, but she got away. When she was followed again, she knew she had to run.”

A frown deepened the lines on Quincy’s face. “I hate that she went through that. I don’t know anyone by the name Ciela, do you?” he asked Headmaster Acker.

He shook his head. “I don’t think I do. She would’ve been a resident of the Kingdom of Zephyr, and my family resides in Torrent, so I wouldn’t have known her growing up.”

My heart squeezed as I imagined meeting elementals who had known my mother. “Could I have family?” I asked. The words were barely audible. As if giving them voice would make the hope real.

Quincy’s expression gentled. “I’m not sure, but I’m going to do some digging.”

“My father and King Torrent will help in any way they can,” Phoenix said.

Kai nodded. “My dad would do anything for Aura.”

Warmth spread through me at his words.

“I’ll reach out to them if I have need of their resources,” Quincy agreed.

“We need to discuss your safety,” Headmaster Acker said. “All the royal guards, save those whose loyalty is sworn to Kai, Phoenix, and Atlas, have been sent home.”

“I told Carn he could stay. I know you think none of the air guards can be trusted, but I trust him,” I said.

Headmaster Acker nodded. “He told me that he has cut ties with the Kingdom of Zephyr. Doing so was a huge risk and I think he’s earned his spot here.”

My shoulders relaxed at that.

The headmaster pressed on. “I’ve got campus guards doing additional patrols of the perimeter and we may rope senior students into that.” He shifted on his feet.

Phoenix’s eyes narrowed. “What is it?”

Headmaster Acker sighed. “Many of the Zephyr students have withdrawn from school.”

The guys gaped at the head of the school.

“Withdrawn?” Atlas echoed.

He nodded. “Within minutes of you crossing the campus boundary.”

Riven’s jaw worked back and forth. “He knew this would be our one safe haven after finding our safe house. He knew I’d come back here.”

Kai looked back and forth between Riven and Headmaster Acker. “We need to be honest about what this might mean.”

The room was silent.

“What?” I demanded.

Riven shuddered. “That my father is planning on attacking Kingwood.”

27

I SIGHED as I shut the door behind me and leaned against it. Phoenix studied me carefully. “You okay?”

I made a humming noise instead of giving him a true answer. The last few days had been exhausting. Between the ambush at the safe house and the idea that King Zephyr might be planning an assault on Kingwood, we were all on edge.

On top of that, campus felt weird. Many of the residents of Zephyr had pulled out of school since Kingwood was harboring a prince who was accused of treason. And a smattering of students from other kingdoms had left as well, likely for fear of what might happen next on campus. But the people who were left all stared at me like I was a bug. Until one of the guys glared or growled at them, that was.

The attention made my skin itch. I hadn’t been alone in days. One of my bond or Carn and Egan were with me at all times.

Phoenix moved into my space and pulled me into his arms. He didn’t say a word and I appreciated the fact that he didn’t give me platitudes.

“She okay?” Kai asked, concern lacing his voice.

I lifted my head and froze. “What are you wearing?”

Kai grinned. “It’s my muumuu. You like?”

He did a full twirl.

A laugh burst out of me. I couldn’t help it. The billowy caftan was a touristy Hawaiian print in just about every color in the rainbow.

“It’s burning my eyes,” Riven called from the living room.

“Seeing his bare ass all the time would be worse,” Atlas shot back, clearly in the same space.

Kai pouted. “You can’t ruin the joy of my muumuus. I’m above your judgment.”

I crossed to Kai and wrapped my arms around him. “I think your muumuu is beautiful.”

“Thank you,” he said, dipping his head to whisper in my ear. “It’s great for easy access. I’m going to get you one and—”

Phoenix smacked him upside the head. “Enough.”

“Rude,” Kai snapped.

I shook my head and moved towards the living room. I dropped my bag by the door and made a beeline for the two guys I hadn’t seen in a couple of hours. Flopping in between them on the couch, I leaned my head into Atlas’s lap and threw my legs over Riven.

Atlas looked down at me, brow furrowing. “Tough day?”

“Long. I’m just tired.”

He began massaging my temples. “Your head hurts.”

“You can sense that?”

He nodded.

Riven slipped off my Converse and dug his thumbs into my feet. “It’s the bond deepening. I’ve been getting more snippets of how all of you are feeling.”

I let out a moan as Riven reached an especially tender spot.

“Not the kind of sounds you want to be making if you’re tired, Pip,” Kai said, sinking into one of the overstuffed chairs.

“The sex shop is closed. Too tired.”

Phoenix’s lips twitched as he took the chair next to Kai. “Noted.”

I was about to ask what we were doing for dinner when a soft knock sounded on the front door, and it opened. Egan and Carn stepped inside.

Egan’s face was stoic. “Quincy is here with a guest. Would you like us to let them in? Both have been searched.”

As much as I didn’t want to, I forced myself to sit up. Being draped all over two of my mates didn’t seem like the most polite way to greet guests.

“Show them in,” Riven instructed.

“Thank you,” I hurried to add, sending Riven a chastising look.

“Yes, thank you,” he added.

Phoenix snickered. “Teaching Riv manners, never thought I’d see the day.”

Quincy entered the living room, guiding a woman who looked to be a few years younger than him. Her hair was a light salt-and-pepper and lines creased her face. But they were the kinds of lines that came from smiling often, ones that marked a life well-lived.

As her gray eyes locked with mine, her steps faltered, and her hand flew to her mouth. “You look just like her.”

I froze. The entire world around me slowed. The only thing I could hear was the beat of my heart ricocheting around in my ears.

Atlas’s fingers wove through mine as Riven pushed into my other side. Kai and Phoenix were instantly on their feet.

“What is this?” Phoenix demanded, sending Quincy a scathing look.

Quincy merely patted the smoldering prince on the shoulder. “Not what. Who. This is Aura’s grandmother, Jewel. Ciela’s mother.”

My entire body began to tremble. “I have a grandmother?”

The woman slowly brought her hand away from her mouth and it shook the same way my body was. “Yes. I—I never knew Ciela had a daughter. She couldn’t—it wasn’t safe for her to contact me once she left.” Grief streaked across Jewel’s face. “But I guess it didn’t matter in the end.”

I shuddered. “It kept her safe for years. Long enough to fall in love and have me.” I wanted to comfort the older woman and it was the only thing I could think of to say.

Her expression gentled. “You’re right.”

Kai gave me a sidelong look, trying to assess how I felt about our newcomers. Then he stepped back and swept his arm out, gesturing to the chairs opposite the ones he and Phoenix had been sitting. “Please, have a seat. Would you like anything to drink?”

Jewel’s gaze roamed over Kai, and I knew she was confused by his attire.

I inwardly groaned.

Phoenix shook his head. “Don’t mind Kai, he has an odd sense of style.”

“You mean I won’t be fenced in by the constraints of modern fashion?” he bit back.

A small smile curved Jewel’s lips. “It’s very beautiful. I love the colors.”

Kai beamed. “Thank you, Jewel.”

Her smile widened. “I’m quite partial to muumuus myself.”

Kai clapped his hands. “Finally, someone who sees wisdom. You and I are going to be besties, Jewls.”

I choked on a laugh. “I hope you like nicknames because once he gets started, he won’t stop.”

Jewel lowered herself into the chair closest to the couch and Riven. “I don’t mind them at all.”

Riven tensed as she sat, and I didn’t understand the reaction until he finally spoke. “I’m so sorry for what my father did to Ciela. There’s nothing I can say that will ease that pain, but I will do everything I can to bring him down.”

Jewel’s knuckles bleached white as she clasped her hands together. “From what I’ve heard, there’s no love lost between you two.”

“No, King Zephyr is a cruel tyrant, and that’s exactly what he’s been as a father as well.”

Sympathy swept over Jewel’s face. “I’m so sorry, Your Highness.”

“Please, call me Riven. You’re family.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Thank you, Riven. It’s been a long time since I’ve had family. It’s not easy being a part of the aether line. They’ve all been taken from me, one after the other.” Her worried gaze traveled to me. “We need to keep you safe.”

Atlas wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “We are doing everything we can.”

Jewel nodded. “That’s good.”

Riven leaned forward. “If you are able to talk about it. Can you tell us what happened before Ciela left?”

She swallowed hard. “Yes. I didn’t put the pieces together until much later. All the strands that finally added up.”

Kai, Phoenix, and Quincy all took their seats as Jewel continued to speak.

“Did you know that your father pursued Ciela? Wanted to take her as his mistress when your mother was still alive?”

A muscle along Riven’s jaw fluttered. “No. I didn’t. But mistresses weren’t rare around the palace.”

Jewel twisted her fingers together. “Ciela was taken aback. He had come into the bakery she worked in. Started showing up every day. Bringing gifts. When she tried to refuse them, he’d get angry.”

“Sounds like the asshole,” Riven rumbled.

“Finally, Ciela just told him flat out that she had no interest in becoming a consort to the king. My girl, she wanted a true family. We might not have been wealthy, but she would take a loving home over that any day.”

The picture Jewel painted of my mother was one that made my chest ache. I loved that I had come from a woman who valued the most important things.

Jewel pressed on. “Things started to happen. She was fired from the bakery and had to find a job elsewhere. It didn’t pay as well.”

“Cutting off her resources,” Phoenix growled.

Jewel nodded. “Ugly rumors began popping up about her.”

“Things that would make it so males in the community wouldn’t pursue her?” Atlas asked softly.

Jewel flushed. “Yes. It was awful. My girl was put through the wringer. That isn’t even the half of it.”

My stomach clenched at everything my mom had endured.

Anger flashed in Jewel’s eyes. “I know now. King Zephyr wanted someone from the aether line. He thought it would make him more powerful. Maybe that he would spawn an aether himself.” Her gaze cut to mine. “You have to end him. There’s no other way. Because now that he knows what you are…he’ll never let you go.”

28

I LEANED back against Riven’s chest as he lay propped against the pillows, his arms going around me and fingers stroking my belly through the oversized T-shirt of Atlas’s I wore. I hadn’t wanted the fancy nightgowns or pajamas tonight. I’d wanted the comforting scent of one of my guys.

Atlas’s scent had always been the most calming to me. Like my very own Xanax when I was stressed or on edge.

He laid sprawled out at the foot of the bed, broad chest on display as he massaged my feet. “Like you in my shirt,” he said, a soft smile playing on his lips.

I tugged it tighter around me. “It’s cozy.”

Kai scoffed. “Not as cozy as my muumuu would’ve been.”

I couldn’t hold in my laugh. “Next time.”

He rolled to his side and took my mouth in a long, slow kiss that made everything in me dip and roll. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

Phoenix traced a pattern on my thigh. “You feel better?”

This afternoon had taken it out of me. After Jewel’s ominous warning, the guys had guided the conversation back to happier topics. Jewel had told me all about my mom growing up. Funny stories about the trouble she’d gotten into. Sweet stories about their family traditions. And she’d asked me a million and one questions about myself.

By the time she’d left, I was exhausted. Atlas had made us dinner and then I’d wanted nothing more than a shower and bed.

“I’m okay. I think I’m just on overload.”

Atlas’s fingers left my foot and trailed up my calf. “That’s more than understandable.”

Riven nuzzled my neck as he inhaled my scent. “You’ve been through more than anyone should have to. It’s okay to press pause and say you need a break.”

I nodded. That was exactly what I needed. A mental escape where the entire world faded away around me.

Kai trailed a finger down the column of my neck. “Let us take care of you?” His finger continued its path, circling around my nipple.

My breath hitched as the bud tightened. “What did you have in mind?”

Phoenix’s fingers trailed up the inside of my thigh. “You do nothing, just lie back and feel. We’ll take your mind off everything else.”

His hand stilled as he reached the apex of my thighs and his eyes sparked. “No underwear?”

I shrugged, a smile playing on my lips. “I’m kind of in Kai’s camp when it comes to underwear.”

Kai grinned before leaning in to kiss me, his tongue stroking mine. “My Pip knows how to live.”

“It is handy.” Phoenix ghosted a finger across my core, and goose bumps erupted on my skin.

Atlas sat up, his hands skating up my leg. He looked at Phoenix who nodded. “Two is always better.”

Atlas chuckled as his finger teased my opening.

“Mmmmm.” I let my head fall back against Riven’s chest.

“Not quite yet,” Kai said.

In a flash, he’d whipped Atlas’s T-shirt off of me and I was completely bare to them. But I wasn’t bashful at the fact that I was exposed while they all still wore flannel bottoms or sweats. There was no one I felt more myself around than them.

“So pretty,” Riven said in a husky voice. His hand palmed my breast, kneading and exploring.

“Most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen,” Kai agreed.

He dipped his head and sucked my nipple into his mouth. My back arched, seeking more.

Two of Atlas’s fingers slid inside me, stroking. My hips rose up to meet his ministrations. The slight stretch was heaven.

Phoenix leaned down, his tongue flicking across my clit. My hands fisted in the sheets as Riven’s tongue trailed along my neck. It was a war of sensations, too many to name or even pinpoint. All I knew was that I loved every single one.

Atlas’s fingers curled inside me, and I couldn’t hold in my moan.

“She likes that,” Kai rumbled against my skin.

The sound sent vibrations through me that wove that cord inside me tighter.

Phoenix’s tongue circled that bundle of nerves, sending liquid heat coursing through me. I pulsed with each swipe and the invisible cord inside me wove tighter.

My head pressed back into Riven’s shoulder. “More,” I pleaded.

“She’s greedy,” Phoenix said, chuckling.

Kai’s teeth grazed my nipple. “I like her greedy.”

Atlas’s fingers curled and twisted, making a whimper fall from my lips. His hazel eyes bored into mine. “Not greedy. Taking what’s hers. Owning her pleasure.”

Heat flooded me at his words. “Atlas,” I breathed.

Riven nipped my neck then lifted his head to look at Atlas. “Take her, brother.”

Everything in me tightened at Riven’s words.

Atlas looked at me in question.

Just one word slipped from my lips. “Please.”

His fingers slid out of me, and he shucked his sweats in a flash. Phoenix moved from my clit to my breast, sucking my nipple deep.

“Now,” Riven commanded like the bossy bastard he was.

Atlas grabbed my legs and pulled me farther down the bed, the rest of the guys coming with me. He stood at the end of the bed and pressed my thighs apart. A second later, he was thrusting inside. Atlas was large. Everywhere.

My eyes watered with the stretch, the pressure, but it was everything I needed to lose myself in the moment.

Phoenix’s finger found my clit as Atlas took me. He worked that bundle of nerves until it was a tight bud begging for release.

My mouth opened on a silent sound. Riven took it, his tongue diving deep. Somehow it mirrored Atlas’s thrusts.

Kai’s teeth skated over my nipple. “She’s close. I can feel it.”

Atlas drove impossibly deeper.

A breeze in the room picked up as sparks flew through the air. A mist of water cascaded over all of us. Then the ground below us let loose a deafening rumble.

The feel of that tremble in the earth was one I felt all the way through my body. And it sent me over the edge. Everything in me pulled tight and then exploded in a swirl of silver tendrils all around us.

Atlas came on a shout, following me into the silver abyss. Somehow, I knew the others weren’t far behind, our bond tying all of our pleasure together. And as we lost ourselves in it all together, I thought to myself, best distraction ever. Right before I passed out.

29

ATLAS’S THUMB stroked across the inside of my wrist as we walked to lunch. All of the guys had found ways to touch me more today. Our bond had deepened last night physically, emotionally, elementally. That had been obvious when Phoenix had accidentally blown up the coffee pot that morning.

Kai hurried up behind us, shoving Riven out of the way. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me in tight and kissing me soundly.

“Hey,” Riven barked.

Kai just grinned at him. “I haven’t seen Pip for an entire class period. I needed to tell her I missed her.”

“You practically mauled the poor girl,” Phoenix shot back.

“Don’t be jealous,” Kai sniped.

“Children,” I said in a singsong voice. “Let’s not bicker.”

Atlas choked on a laugh as he bent to kiss my temple. “You tell ‘em.”

As we approached Winthrop Hall, a harried-looking Quincy slipped out the side door. My stomach dropped as he made a beeline towards us.

“Shit. What now?” Phoenix grumbled.

He’d given voice to my thoughts.

Quincy came to a stop in front of us. “We might have a problem.”

“What is it?” Riven asked.

Quincy’s gaze moved to Atlas. “Your father is here.”

Atlas’s hand tightened around mine. “Why?”

“He hasn’t said. Just that he would like Headmaster Acker to bring you all to his office.”

A muscle in Kai’s cheek twitched. “Could be a trap.”

Quincy nodded. “We wondered as much, so I had drones sent up. There are no signs of approaching armies.”

“They could come through the portal,” Riven said.

“They would only be able to travel a handful at a time. We’ve got guards stationed there,” Quincy informed us.

“He’s backing us into a corner,” Atlas rumbled. “I can’t refuse to see him without due cause.”

“I’d like to punch him in the junk,” I muttered.

Kai choked on a laugh. “Vicious, Pip.”

Riven’s brow quirked. “I do recall you’re pretty quick with a knee.”

I flushed. “Sorry about that.”

“No, you’re not,” he replied, giving me a quick kiss.

I turned to Atlas. “Will you be okay?”

He swallowed. “I hate the idea of him here. Hate the idea of him being anywhere near you.” He glanced at the rest of the guys. “Take Aura home. I’ll deal with my dad.”

“No way,” I shot back. “We stick together. That’s how we’re safest.”

Atlas’s jaw worked back and forth.

I pressed a hand to his chest. “You’re not in this alone. We’ve got you.”

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to his chest. “I can’t have anything happen to you.”

“And nothing is. Just as long as we have each other.”

“She’s right,” Kai agreed. “We aren’t going to let you deal with your dad’s bullshit on your own. That’s not how we roll.”

“Damn straight,” Phoenix chimed in.

Riven jerked his head in a nod.

Atlas sighed. “Let’s get this over with.”

When we turned towards Winthrop Hall, we came up short. Quincy was beaming at us.

“It’s a little freaky,” Phoenix murmured.

Quincy just grinned wider. “Your bond is deepening.”

If I wasn’t so determined to keep hold of Atlas’s hand, I would’ve hugged the man. His joy at what we’d found was one of the sweetest things I’d ever seen.

Kai chuckled. “Hell yeah, it is. Last night we—”

Riven clamped a hand over Kai’s mouth. “Let’s just keep private matters private.”

I sent him a grateful look.

A second later, Riven jerked his hand away as if he’d been burned. “What the hell, man?”

I gaped at the two. “What did he do?”

Riven scowled at Kai. “He licked my damn hand.”

Kai rolled his shoulders back. “Serves you right for trying to silence me.”

Phoenix rolled his eyes. “Let’s get moving.”

I took a quick peek at Atlas through my lashes. Normally, he’d be rolling his eyes along with Phoenix or laughing, but there was nothing on Atlas’s face other than stony blankness. It had a heavy weight settling in my stomach.

Quincy led the way into Winthrop and towards Headmaster Acker’s office. When we stepped into the waiting area, the receptionist looked visibly relieved. I wouldn’t have wanted to be left alone with the Terra guards either. The handful of men looked half-feral.

Atlas glared at each man, forcing them to dip their heads in submission. If it would’ve been any other situation, I would’ve jumped him. But this wasn’t the time nor the place.

Quincy opened the door of the headmaster’s office and we stepped inside. King Terra lounged on the couch in a sitting area off to the side. He looked as if he owned the place, while Headmaster Acker sat in a chair, jaw tight.

The king clapped his hands together. “Finally. They’re here.”

The headmaster nodded at us. “Thank you for coming.”

“Why are you here?” Atlas asked, staring his dad down.

King Terra made a tsking noise. “Now, now, is that any way to greet your father?”

“If I saw a father in this room, I’d greet him as such.”

There was a flicker of something in the king’s eyes. “Watch your tone, boy. I’d hate to have to teach you a lesson.”

“Neutral territory, remember?” Headmaster Acker said.

A fake smile spread across King Terra’s face. “Of course. I just wanted to make sure everyone was all right. I heard there was some trouble…”

I watched the king closely and he seemed genuinely angry that we’d run into any issues, which confused me. I would’ve thought he’d be happy we’d almost been killed.

Atlas scoffed, giving voice to my thoughts. “What would you care? You’d be glad to be rid of me.”

King Terra’s eyes narrowed in Atlas’s direction. “You’re my son. My property. No one hurts you without my express permission.”

My stomach soured as bile churned. That meant that he had given people permission to hurt his son in the past.

“Oh, don’t give me that look, Little Aether. He required toughening up. It was necessary.”

Rage lit, flowing through muscle and sinew. “It takes an extremely small man to hurt those less powerful than him.” I adjusted my gaze to his groin on the word small, and Kai choked on a laugh.

Redness crept up the king’s neck. “I taught him to be strong. He might still be a disappointment, but it would’ve been far worse if I hadn’t.”

“Enough, Father,” Atlas bit out. “What do you want?”

King Terra’s eyes flashed. “Didn’t they tell you? I’m here to stay.”

30

PROFESSOR BELTHORN MOTIONED everyone towards the lake. “Have a seat. Make sure you’re close enough to the water that your toes can dip in.”

I scooted closer, feeling an easing of something in my chest when my toes submerged into the lake. I’d take any sort of peace I could get. I’d been on edge ever since we’d left the headmaster’s office yesterday. And now I was looking over my shoulder at every turn. Wondering when King Terra might show up next.

I sent a furtive glance to the side, looking for any hint of movement, but all I saw was Carn dutifully standing sentry. Kai and Phoenix had gone to meet with their fathers about what King Terra might be up to, and I’d insisted that Phoenix take Egan with him. I wasn’t about to let him be the victim of a surprise attack while he was alone.

Carn gave me a kind smile and I did my best to return it but struggled to get my lips to make the correct motion. I knew it came off as more of a grimace. Crap.

It wasn’t just the knowledge that King Terra was staying on campus that was weighing on me. It was everything. The texts I’d gotten from the grandmother I’d never known. Missing Janine and Charlie like a limb. Worry that I’d never be the leader a Quintessence aether was supposed to be. The knowledge that the person I’d thought had been my best friend was now sitting in the dungeon below Winthrop Hall.

My gut twisted at the thought, a deep ache taking root in my chest. No matter how much I thought about what she’d done, I couldn’t help but have empathy for Kerry. Maybe because I knew the pressure she’d felt from her family. How she’d always seen herself as the odd one out. And the knowledge that I had let my friend down. I hadn’t been there for her when she’d needed me.

Something flickered deep inside me. It was hard to put words to the sensation. Almost like roots growing deeper.

When I looked down, a cascade of silver spread into the water.

Drue shrieked. “What the hell kind of freaky magic is that?”

I fought the blush that wanted to rise to my cheeks. I guessed news that I was a Quintessence aether hadn’t filtered down to the students.

Professor Belthorn looked down at the silver rippling through the lake with a look of wonder on her face.

“Do something!” Drue demanded.

I noticed that Xena wasn’t joining in her friend’s tirade. In fact, she winced and scooted away.

The professor cleared her throat. “Enough, Drue. Aura’s magic isn’t any of your concern.”

Drue gaped at her. “Her messed-up abilities could kill me. I’d say that’s my business. My father thinks it’s outrageous that the school is even letting her stay. That she’s an abomination—”

“Drue,” Professor Belthorn snapped. “If you are concerned about your safety, you’re welcome to leave campus like the others have. If you choose to stay, you will not be permitted to speak like this in my presence. If you do, I will fail you.”

Gasps and whispers erupted around me. While the class was only about two-thirds as full as it had been before King Torrent’s accusations, right now it felt as if there were hundreds staring and gossiping. The weight of it had my lungs tightening, and I fought the urge to slouch. But I refused. I wasn’t going to cower to Drue and drama.

She simply stared at Professor Belthorn open-mouthed. The threat of failure was nothing to sneeze at. It would bring vast amounts of shame on not only Drue but her family as well.

She snapped her mouth closed and glared at the professor. Lesson definitely not learned.

Professor Belthorn clapped her hands together. “All right, everyone. Let’s start as we always do, sensing our tie to the water.”

Slowly, students began to pick up their usual practices, and their gazes moved away from me and Drue. The tightness in my lungs released a fraction.

Professor Belthorn crouched beside me. “How are you holding up?”

The simple question made my throat burn. I’d liked the professor from our very first class. She was straight to the point but had a kindness in her and a sense of humor. I swallowed, trying to clear away the sob that wanted to break free. “I’m okay. Just trying to keep my head down.”

“That one won’t make it easy.” Professor Belthorn inclined her head the barest amount in Drue’s direction. “She wants to turn the school against you. The problem is that all the people who might have taken her side left when King Zephyr ordered.”

“I’m used to rolling solo. It’s okay if the students don’t like me.”

The truth was, I hadn’t had a chance to get to know many of them. I’d been too busy trying to stay alive.

Professor Belthorn frowned at me. “It will be important that they at least respect you. How else will you be able to rule?”

My stomach churned. Because I wasn’t sure that I was the right person for that job. “If it’s meant to be, hopefully they’ll see who I am with time.”

The professor smiled at that. “A good way to look at it. Now, talk to me about how your magic has been manifesting.”

WE STOOD in the lake up to our calves, creating different shapes with the water. This was something I was eager to learn. I shivered as memories of the ice bullets and spears from the air guards’ attack played in my mind. Mastering this would come in handy.

I lifted a stream of water into the air, forming it into a spear shape. The design wasn’t exact, but it was close enough, and I knew with practice, I’d get better. But changing the consistency from water to ice was something else altogether.

Picturing ice in my mind, I tried to cool the water to that consistency. Nothing happened. The water didn’t change temperature at all. I cursed.

Drue snickered. “Having trouble over there, mutt?”

My back teeth ground together, but I stayed focused on my task. Instead trying to cool the water through that element. I sought out air. But not the air around us, I pulled from way up in the heavens where the temperatures were practically freezing.

The spear shape began to feel heavy against my magic and I grinned. In a matter of seconds, it was a fully-formed ice spear.

“What the hell?” Drue snapped.

Her voice broke my concentration, and the spear went sideways. It fell into the water with a massive splash, dousing Drue.

My hand flew to my mouth. Oops.

Drue stared down at her soaked form. “You bitch!”

One second, she was standing a few feet from me, the next she was flying at me. She gave me a hard shove and I went flying into the water. I popped up spluttering and coughing.

Drue grinned.

Something in me snapped. I was so sick of putting up with her snide comments and bullshit. With a flick of my hand, a gust of air knocked Drue off her feet and sent her flying into the water. Our classmates burst into laughter.

Drue burst to the surface. “I’m going to kill you!”

“Enough!” Professor Belthorn shouted, erecting a wall of water between us. She shook her head. “I’ve had enough of this. Both of you walk back to your dorms to get changed. You’ll have to get notes on what you’ve missed from a classmate.”

I winced. I wouldn’t have the first idea of who to ask. Maybe Kai would know.

“She started this and I’m being punished?” Drue whined.

The professor pinched the bridge of her nose. “Drue, I really don’t have it in me to deal with you right now. If you don’t want to fail, go back to your dorm.”

I didn’t say a word, simply climbed out of the lake. Carn gave me a sympathetic look as he handed me a towel. “I would’ve done the same thing.”

I couldn’t hold in my chuckle. “I won’t lie, as long as I don’t fail, it’ll be worth it.”

I wrapped the towel around my shoulders as Carn picked up my bag.

“Kai won’t let you fail water class.”

“I don’t know about that. He’s not great with the studying.”

Carn choked on a laugh as we started towards the path that led back to campus. Drue stormed ahead of us, stomping with each step.

I let out a low whistle. “I’m not going to live this one down for a while.”

“Hopefully, she gets so annoyed, she packs up and heads back to Zephyr.”

Somehow, I didn’t see that happening. Drue was a lot of things, but she wasn’t a quitter.

A scream sounded ahead of us, and my head jerked in that direction. Drue was there one second and the next? She was gone.

31

ANOTHER SCREAM SOUNDED from off the path, and I cursed. I didn’t like Drue. The only thing I felt for the girl was extreme dislike only a few degrees short of hatred. But I didn’t want her death on my conscience.

I started off the path, but Carn grabbed my arm. “No, you wait here. I’ll go after her.”

I shook my head. “We stick together. The last time we split up, I got jumped.”

Carn winced but nodded.

We moved towards the sound of muffled cries. My stomach cramped as Carn pulled a gun from his holster. Magic tingled in my fingertips. Whatever we were about to face, I was ready for it.

As we stepped into a clearing, Carn and I pulled up short. Drue grinned at us, King Terra standing beside her. The expression on the king’s face was like the cat that got the canary.

“Oh no, help me,” Drue said in a whiny, exaggerated tone. “I knew all I would have to do is fake being taken to get you to follow. So obsessed with making people think you’re some savior.”

Power hummed beneath my fingers as Carn stepped between me and them.

King Terra scoffed. “Like you can protect her.”

Carn raised his weapon and didn’t hesitate, aiming right for between the eyes. The crack of the bullet pierced the air, but it fell harmlessly to the forest floor as if it had bounced a shield of some sort.

Oh, crap. This was not good. I sent out a message to my bond. Uh, guys?

Riven’s voice was in my mind in a second. What’s wrong?

Drue and King Terra are all buddy-buddy. They’ve got me and Carn in the forest a few minutes from the lake and I’m pretty sure they’re not planning on braiding our hair and painting our nails.

Atlas’s feral growl filled my head. Stall them.

We’re on our way, Phoenix said, and I swore I could feel the rage pulsing off him even though he was nowhere near me.

Use whatever power you have to, Kai told me, but I could hear the worry in his voice.

The air picked up, swirling around me as I brought a fireball to my palm. The fear I’d once felt at the flames had dulled over the past few weeks as I’d come to see it as a tool to protect me, not something to fear.

Drue snickered. “Sorry, mutt. That freaky magic of yours isn’t going to do you any good. King Terra has us protected, right, baby?”

She pressed a hand to his chest and my stomach roiled. She was sleeping with Atlas’s dad? Ick.

He stared down at her, a flicker of annoyance casting through his features. “What do you mean, her freaky magic?”

Drue’s eyes narrowed on him, not liking his interest in me. “I told you. She had no control. She’s a half-breed. Today she turned the water silver.”

King Terra jerked upright. “Silver?”

Drue huffed. “What does it matter? She’s—”

The king gripped her by the throat, lifting Drue to her tiptoes. “I asked you a question,” he roared.

Drue paled, as if she suddenly realized she was in over her head. “Silver,” she croaked.

He lowered her to the ground but kept hold of her throat. “Have you seen this kind of silver from her before?”

“N-no. She’s just been unstable.”

King Terra’s gaze flicked to me. “Interesting…”

Anger streaked across Drue’s face. “What? Is she even more of a freak than we thought?”

The king stroked the column of her throat. “Drue, darling?”

Her eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas. “Yes, Your Highness?”

I could see it then, she had always craved being close to power, she’d just found another way to do it.

“You’ve been very helpful to me, do you know that?”

Drue practically preened all while doing a slight curtsy. “It’s my greatest wish to be of service to my king. Just wait until we’re back in Terra. You’ll see how helpful I can truly be.”

King Terra continued running his thumb up her neck until it rested on her chin. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”

“What—?”

Drue’s words were cut off as King Terra snapped her neck. She crumpled to the ground, and the king brushed his hands off as if they were covered in dirt. “She does the most incessant blathering. It’s a wonder no one has killed her before now.”

“Run, Aura,” Carn said softly. “As fast as you can. I’ll hold him off for as long as possible.”

My heart seized. “I’m not leaving you alone with this maniac.”

King Terra guffawed. “Maniac, huh? You flatter me.”

The fireball in my palm shot out on instinct, but it too bounced off the shield in front of the king. I needed to learn that handy trick.

“Come with me now, Aura, and I won’t hurt the guard you seem so fond of.”

I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of me. Was he drinking the drugs? I wasn’t going anywhere with him by choice.

And that was when it hit me. He hadn’t made one move against us. Because he couldn’t. The shield that was protecting him also must’ve been preventing him from using any sort of magic or weapons against us.

“He can’t hurt us,” I said. “Not with that shield up.” I called another fireball to hand. “Come on, Terra. Too scared of your son’s mate?”

The king flushed a deep red. “That son of mine is a waste of space and you just feed his delusions of grandeur.”

Carn slowly moved to the side as King Terra and I spoke. I knew he was going to look for weaknesses in the magic, I just wasn’t sure how. When a soft breeze picked up, I had my answer. Carn would be able to see if there were any spots the air penetrated the magical wall. I just had to keep the king distracted in the meantime.

I tossed the fireball back and forth between my two hands. “The only one delusional here is you. For thinking that you could be half the man Atlas is. I know, and I’d guess everyone in your kingdom does too.”

King Terra scoffed. “Hardly. They cower when I walk into a room.”

“Fear is a good motivator. But not nearly as powerful as respect. Which do you think Atlas carries?”

The king’s nostrils flared. “He’s pathetic—”

His words were cut off by the crack of a bullet. The king shot forward, clutching his arm. “You insolent fool!”

Carn took another shot, but King Terra dodged it. I threw the fireball, but he outmaneuvered that as well. He raised his hand and with a flick of his wrist, a large tree branch was hurtling towards Carn.

I screamed, but it was too late. The branch embedded itself in Carn’s chest.

32

I RUSHED towards the air guard as he crumpled to the forest floor, his face already going ashen.

“Run, Aura,” he croaked.

“No! I’m not leaving you. I can help.” I pulled on my magic, trying to guide it towards Carn. But it didn’t work. Not like it did with my bond. I wasn’t a healer, I could only heal them.

“Greatest honor of my life, serving you. Queen…of…Quintessence.”

Tears spilled from my eyes, sliding down my cheeks and slipping off my chin. “Don’t you give up. Not yet.”

Get Sariah! It’s Carn. Terra stabbed him. He’s dying. I-I can’t stop it.

We’re almost there, Riven shouted in my mind.

Kai and I are almost to the portal in Torrent. We’ll be there soon, Phoenix added.

Then Kai’s voice filled my mind. Where’s Terra now?

I didn’t know. I didn’t even care. All I cared about was saving Carn. The man who had given up everything to defend me.

His breaths became layered, a wet, wheezing sound slipping from his lips. My tears came faster. “Please, don’t.”

But the Universe didn’t hear me. Carn’s breaths stopped altogether, and his heart halted. The contents of my chest ripped to shreds.

“Such dramatics,” King Terra drawled. “Over what? A guard? They’re a dime a dozen.”

I whirled towards him, rage pulsing through me like a living, breathing thing. “You have no soul.”

He simply shrugged. “You can’t afford to have a soul in my position. It makes you weak.”

I growled at him, the ground beneath us rumbling.

“Take you, for example. I could’ve snapped your neck a dozen times while you cried over your fallen friend.”

The memory of him doing just that to Drue played in my mind. But King Terra hadn’t done the same to me. Because he wanted something.

My eyes narrowed on him as my palms itched to douse him in fire. But I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from reacting rashly. I might only have one shot and I was going to use it wisely.

“What. Do. You. Want?” I gritted out.

King Terra grinned. The movement was twisted and ugly, like the man’s insides. “Now you’re thinking. Why haven’t I killed you? You know I could do it with a snap of my fingers.”

His thumb and middle finger made that very sound and the largest pine at the edge of the clearing crashed to the forest floor. I skittered back, the reaction pure instinct. The king let loose a booming laugh.

“It’s a pity I need to end you. It would be so much fun to break you, a delicate flower like yourself.”

The fury within me bloomed fresh. I wouldn’t apologize for feeling because it was everything that King Terra wasn’t. It didn’t make me weak. My care for others only made me stronger.

“But sadly, I can’t keep you as my pet.”

Nausea rolled through me as my magic sparked deep. “Then what do you want?”

“Have you called my son here yet?” he asked casually.

I jerked. “What do you mean?”

King Terra rolled his eyes. “Don’t put on an act. I know that you have the mind link with them. Have you called them here?”

A lead weight settled in my stomach. “No.”

The fact that he was asking meant that the last thing I wanted was Atlas or any of the other guys anywhere near here.

King Terra’s jaw clenched. “Call him.”

I lifted my chin. “No.”

“Do it. Now!” The ground shook with the force of the king’s anger.

“Why?”

His eyes blazed. “You won’t help my son ascend to the throne. He’s too weak. A blight upon my name. But when I kill you right in front of his eyes, the rest of the kingdom will see just how weak he is.”

There was a buzzing in my ears. I’d been right. The Kingdom of Terra did value Atlas more than his father. And King Terra hated him for it.

I didn’t think, I merely reacted. I refused to wait for Atlas to show so his father could kill me. My hand thrust up, fire bursting from my palm.

King Terra was so shocked at my move that he barely had time to dodge the ball of flames. He cursed and rolled, calling up a tornado of dirt and air, swirling it around me to throw me off-balance.

I did the last thing I wanted to, I closed my eyes. Feeling my connection to the earth, I weighted my feet. My body grew heavy, but it wasn’t a heaviness that made it impossible to move. I simply wasn’t at the whims of King Terra’s magic.

He growled as he uprooted a tree and sent it flying towards me.

I released that weighted sensation and ducked. The tree clipped my shoulder, making me cry out in pain as it tore into my flesh. But I didn’t let myself drop like I wanted to. My hands shot out and a stream of water knocked King Terra off-balance. Unfortunately, he didn’t fall.

“You forget who you’re up against, Little Aether.”

The ground beneath me quaked. It split apart at my feet, the dirt circling my ankles and holding me captive. I tried to use my air gift to try to rise up, but I wasn’t strong enough to fight against King Terra’s own affinity.

He stalked towards me, a grin stretching across his face.

I threw a fireball, but he just batted it away with his air gift.

My lungs seized as he drew closer. I was trapped.

Then King Terra launched himself at me. His hands latched around my throat, squeezing tight.

I fought with everything I had, clawing at his face and trying to pull from my elements. But panic had locked down my gifts. I got off one good hit to the king’s nose and he cursed, but his hands didn’t loosen.

The world flickered around me.

Shouts sounded. Were they in my head or were they here?

I tried to call back to tell my bond that I loved them, that I always would. But I was already fading.

33

THE FERAL ROAR pulled at my consciousness as the hands around my throat loosened. Air surged into my lungs. I coughed and sputtered, rolling to my side.

A buzzing in my ears made it hard to hear everything around me, and I had to blink a few times to clear my vision. But that was when I saw it.

Atlas took King Terra to the ground in a vicious tackle. His fist connected with his father’s face, the crunch of bone audible even through the buzz still present in my ears.

The king let out an ugly laugh. “Maybe he has a little spine in him after all.”

He swung out, his fist connecting with Atlas’s cheek and snapping his head back.

But Atlas rebounded in an instant. With a flick of his hand, the ground beneath King Terra rolled, sending him flying backward.

The king let out a low growl. “You think you’re a match for me? You’re nothing.”

He sent a rock flying at Atlas’s head. I screamed, but no sound came out, my throat raw. Atlas ducked at the last second. “Gotten lazy in your old age.”

Atlas uprooted a tree and hurled it at his father. King Terra deflected it with his air affinity but only narrowly.

“You have no idea what it truly takes to rule. You have to be vicious. To show no mercy.” King Terra sent a gust of wind whirling around Atlas and lifting him off the ground.

Atlas reacted in a flash, fire gathered in his palm, and he hurled it at his father.

The king tried to dodge, but the flames grazed his thigh, and he howled in pain as he rolled in the dirt. It was enough to break his concentration, and Atlas crashed to the ground. The landing looked painful, but Atlas scrambled to his feet.

“I’m going to kill you for that,” King Terra gritted out. “But not before squeezing the life from your little mate in front of your eyes.”

Atlas’s nostrils flared and his eyes flashed. “You will not touch her.”

The king sneered. “Maybe I’ll do more than touch her.”

The insinuation had my stomach roiling. I tried to pull fire to my hands to help Atlas, but my magic was weak, my body drained from the earlier fight. The only thing that happened were a few sparks at my fingertips.

Atlas charged his father, taking him down to the ground. They rolled in a tangle of limbs. The fight was vicious, one blow after the other. They moved so quickly, I couldn’t tell who had the upper hand.

A flash of silver glinted in the sun. My heart stopped as King Terra swiped the blade across Atlas’s chest. But Atlas didn’t let it slow him. He knocked his father flat with a punch to the jaw.

His hands latched around King Terra’s neck, squeezing. “You will never get to her. Not ever again.”

King Terra tried to retaliate, but roots sprung from the ground, holding his wrists in place. Atlas tightened his hold on his father’s neck. The king’s eyes bugged out.

“Atlas!” I tried to call his name, but my voice was only a hoarse whisper.

I tried to get up, but pain shot through my shoulder and across my ribs. I rolled to my knees, trying to get to Atlas. But it was no use. Everything hurt too much.

The king kicked and bucked, trying to shake his son free, but there was nothing he could do. His fighting slowed to the barest movements and then nothing at all.

With one final shake, Atlas released his father. The king’s head dropped to the ground, his eyes wide and unblinking.

Atlas froze.

The entire world around us went still. There was no sound other than a rustling of the wind in the trees.

He hauled himself off his father, scrambling away until his back hit a tree. He stared down at his hands. “What have I done?”

I forced myself to move, to crawl towards the man who had just given everything for me. I stopped just a breath away from him. “Atlas.” His name on my lips was louder now, but my voice didn’t sound like my own.

Atlas’s gaze zeroed in on me, on my neck. “He almost killed you.”

Pain blazed through me. I’d thought it was over. That I’d never see the men I loved so dearly again. “I’m sorry.”

Atlas winced. “You don’t apologize.”

But I needed to. I glanced at King Terra’s fallen form, looking for any signs of life, but there were none. His chest was still, his eyes remained open and unblinking. I swallowed hard. Atlas had killed his father…for me.

My breaths came quicker, short little pants. Riven had only been accused of attempting to harm his father and they were out for blood. What would happen when the elemental world found out that Atlas had actually taken King Terra’s life?

This wasn’t happening. I couldn’t lose Atlas.

“Aura!” Riven yelled as he ran into the clearing. He skidded to a stop, taking in the three bodies and me and Atlas on the ground. “Holy hell. What happened?”

My breathing was even faster now as I struggled to get air into my lungs.

“I think she’s having a panic attack,” Atlas said.

Riven crossed to me in a flash, his hands coming to my arms. “Look at me. You have to slow your breaths.”

I jerked out of his hold. “Don’t touch me.”

Hurt flashed across Riven’s features.

“I can’t heal,” I croaked. “If you touch me, I’ll heal.”

His brows pulled together. “What are you talking about?”

“We need my wounds. We need evidence.”

Atlas struggled to his feet, so much grief lining his features. “No. It’s not worth it. Let us heal you. I’ll take whatever’s coming to me.” He crossed to me as if he were going to take me in his arms.

“No!” My shout was feral, a panic shriek that echoed off the trees. “They’ll take you from me! I can’t let them take you.”

I scrambled back, trying to escape their touch. The movement made pain ricochet through my body. I cried out, rolling to my side.

“Okay, we won’t touch you. Not until we have corroboration,” Riven said, holding up both hands.

Atlas let out a low growl. “She’s in agony.”

Riven spun on him. “She’s trying to save your ass.”

“It’s not worth it.”

My gaze collided with Atlas’s. “You’ll always be worth it.”

34

THE SHUTTER on the camera snapped. I knew in reality the sound wasn’t loud, but right now, in the sterile room in the medical wing? It was deafening.

Sariah gave me a sympathetic look. “You can pull your gown up.”

I swallowed and did as she instructed.

She moved in closer, setting the camera down. Her hands hovered over me. “I’m going to heal you now, okay?”

I nodded.

One of Sariah’s hands touched my uninjured shoulder, the other my hand. Warmth spread through me, then flickers of pain as the torn flesh on my shoulder knit back together and the ribs that had obviously been broken righted themselves. But I barely felt it. I was numb.

A moment later, Sariah stepped back. “All done.”

I forced words to form on my lips. “Thank you.”

“Aura…did he—?”

I cut her off with a shake of my head. “No, nothing like that.” He’d just taken lives in front of my eyes as if they were nothing. He’d tried to end mine. Atlas’s. And if the council didn’t believe us, they might do the same.

“Do you need some help getting dressed? Someone brought you a pair of sweats.”

“I can do it. Thank you.”

Sariah nodded slowly. “I’ll go outside for a few minutes and then come back.”

She took the camera with her, and I knew that she’d be taking those photos to Headmaster Acker and who knew who else. I hated the idea of anyone seeing them. My broken and bruised body. My weakness. But if it saved Atlas, I’d do it a million times.

My fingers fluttered to my throat. I knew the bruises there hadn’t faded. Sariah could mend broken bones and torn flesh, but she couldn’t fix everything. I’d have to walk around with this evidence on my neck for however long it took to fade.

I shuddered at the thought but forced myself to stand. I grabbed the pair of sweatpants on the desk next to the exam table. Pain flared as I bent to put them on. My ribs might be healed, but the echoes of agony were still there. Breathing through my nose, I straightened. I slipped off the gown and tossed it in the trash before reaching for the sweatshirt. Pulling that on felt like the fires of hell spreading across my body.

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from crying out. I had to lean back against the desk and catch my breath. Closing my eyes, I focused on the inhale and exhale.

A knock sounded on the door.

“Come in,” I called, straightening.

Sariah poked her head in. “You decent?”

Before I could say anything, Kai shoved around her. The agonizing worry was etched into his face as he strode across the room. “You’re okay?”

Phoenix was right on his heels. “How much are you hurting?”

Riven trailed behind them silently, but his gaze swept over me, analyzing every last thing.

Atlas was quiet as well, the last person into the room. My heart ached at the heaviness in his step, and I had no idea how to make it better.

“Pip,” Kai pushed.

My gaze snapped back to him. “I’m okay.” My voice was still raw and scratchy, but it was significantly better than before.

Phoenix frowned at me. “You’re still hurting. I can feel it.”

I sighed. This was one time I wished the bond would be a little less transparent. “I’ll be better by tomorrow.”

A muscle in Atlas’s jaw ticked as he turned to Sariah. “I thought you said you’d healed her.”

“I did. But you know I can’t take away all her pain. Only time can do that.”

His teeth ground together. “We’ll get you a pain tonic when we get home.”

I just made a humming noise. I wasn’t going to let them give me something that would knock me out for hours.

Kai moved in closer and wrapped his arms gently around me. “I’m so sorry we weren’t there, Pip.”

My hands fisted in his shirt. “We were all doing what we had to. I was on campus, I had Carn. It should’ve been fine.”

My voice cracked on the air guard’s name.

“We should’ve been more careful,” Phoenix groused. “We knew Terra was a sneaky bastard.”

“Enough,” I cut them off. I didn’t want Atlas to have to hear this. “I’ll be okay, and he’s gone now.”

Atlas flinched, and I immediately wanted to take back my words.

The door to the exam room opened wider and Headmaster Acker strode in. His gaze cut right to me, zeroing in on the bruises at my throat. “I’m so sorry, Aura. This never should’ve happened.”

“I’m okay.” Now I was just a broken record. One that sounded like a liar with how hoarse the words were coming out.

“I’m so glad you are.” He shuffled his feet. “I’ve examined the photos and sent copies off to the council, along with the ones we took of the wound on Atlas’s chest and Drue and Carn.”

My throat burned, but I looked at Atlas. He was in a fresh T-shirt, no sign of any blood. “Are you okay?”

He jerked his head in a nod. “It was nothing.”

Compared to what his father had put him through in the past. My hands clenched at my sides. There were few people in this world that I hated, but King Terra was one of them. I wasn’t sorry that he was dead, only that Atlas would always have to carry that weight.

“I have our guards on alert, and we are flying drones around the borders looking for any signs of attack,” Headmaster Acker informed us.

My eyes widened. “Do you think the Kingdom of Terra will retaliate?”

Headmaster Acker’s lips pressed into a firm line. “Based on the reaction of the personal guards Terra brought with him, it’s split. There are those who were loyal to him and those who thought he was pure evil.”

Atlas cleared his throat. “I don’t think they’ll retaliate with a full-fledged attack. If anything, I’ll need to watch out for assassination attempts.”

“You may be right,” the headmaster agreed.

“Assassination attempts?” I squeaked.

Kai rubbed a hand up and down my back. “We’ll keep him safe.”

“Not if the council decides I’m guilty,” Atlas said.

A lead weight settled in my stomach. How had we gotten here? Two of my bond mates accused of treason within a week?

My hands clenched, fingernails digging into my palms. “If they come for you, I’ll take out every last one.”

I could do it too. I wasn’t strong enough now, but I could feel my magic coming back. By tomorrow, I’d be ready. No one would take Atlas from me, none of my guys.

Worry lines appeared on Riven’s brow. “Don’t say that where people can hear.”

“People should know that if they’re stupid enough to try to hurt one of you, I will stop them, whatever it takes.”

Phoenix leaned into my other side, his lips skimming my ear. “Vicious. I like it.”

I wanted that hint of humor to find its way to me. I wanted my mouth to curve in a smile, but I couldn’t manage the motion. All of a sudden, fatigue slammed into me.

Any hint of humor fled Phoenix’s expression as his hold on me tightened. “Aura?”

“I think I need to lie down.”

Headmaster Acker nodded. “Of course. You get some rest. I have everyone on alert.”

I just hoped that was enough because, in the past, it hadn’t been close.

35

“I CAN WALK,” I protested at Atlas lifted me into his arms.

He grunted. “You said you needed to lie down.”

“And I will, in my bed.”

Atlas simply ignored me and started towards the door of the exam room.

“Better not to argue, Pip,” Kai said.

Riven pressed a hand to my cheek as we passed him. “Let us take care of you. We need it.”

Any other protests died on my lips. I’d do anything to help Atlas, to help all of them. So, I just let Atlas carry me, ignoring any protests my ribs made.

Students gaped at us as we reached the ground floor of Winthrop Hall. Then the whispers started. It was clear that word had gotten around about King Terra, Drue, and Carn. A couple girls I recognized from Drue’s group were crying in a corner.

I didn’t want to see any of it. Not the heartbreak. Not the morbid fascination. Not the judgment. It was cowardly, but I pressed my face into Atlas’s chest. He seemed to sense my thoughts and picked up his pace.

As we passed students, I caught the sound of whispers on the air.

“I heard he almost killed her,” a guy said.

A girl snorted. “We probably all would’ve been better off if he had.”

“Not cool,” the guy said. “King Terra killed the air guard trying to protect her.”

“She was probably luring the guard off the path to screw his brains out because four princes aren’t enough for her.”

I started humming, trying to zone them out.

The girl shrieked, and my eyes flew open as a fireball stopped just a breath away from her face. Phoenix glowered at her. “Were you saying something?”

“N-n-no, Your Highness.”

“That’s what I thought.” He called the fireball back to his palm.

Kai pushed the door open with a slam. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

“You won’t be able to stop people from talking,” I said softly.

“We’ll just see about that,” Phoenix gritted out.

Tears burned the backs of my eyes. Everything felt like a battle I had no hope of winning. Pressure built in my throat as we moved towards Crown Hall. I shoved down the sob that wanted to surface as Carn’s face flashed in my mind.

Two guards stepped aside as Riven strode up the front walk. He opened the door and we filed in. But Atlas didn’t put me down.

The minute the door closed behind us, my body began to shake.

Atlas’s brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

“Just cold.” Suddenly, I was freezing. As if I’d just fallen through the ice on a lake.

“I’ll run you a bath,” Kai said, jogging up the stairs.

“You don’t have—”

Riven cut me off with a look, his words about letting them take care of me playing in my mind. I snapped my mouth closed.

“I’ll go make you some tea,” he said.

I nodded. “Thank you.”

Phoenix looked at me and Atlas. “Why don’t you get her upstairs. I’m going to talk to Egan about the guards.”

My stomach cramped at the word guards. I fought the urge to tell Phoenix to send them all home. I didn’t want another person dying because of me.

Atlas lifted his chin in Phoenix’s direction and then turned to the stairs. He took his time climbing them. I knew my weight was nothing to him, but it was as if the burdens of the day were slowing his steps.

I searched for the right thing to say. Anything to say. But no words came. It only made me feel like more of a failure.

Kai came striding out of the bedroom just as we reached the landing. “You’re all set.” He brushed his lips against my forehead. “Call if you need anything.”

I swallowed but nodded. “Thank you.”

Atlas carried me into the bathroom. The scent of roses filled the space. The bath was already full and brimming with bubbles. He set me down and I swayed. Atlas’s hands came out to steady me. “Here.”

He gripped the hem of my sweatshirt, helping me out of it. Then he did the same with my sweatpants and underwear.

I gripped Atlas’s hand as I stepped into the water. Closing my eyes, I sank into the water. The heat was everything I needed. But I didn’t let go of Atlas’s hand.

We were quiet for a few moments. Then finally, I was brave enough to ask what I needed to. “Do you hate me?”

Atlas’s hand spasmed in mine. “What? Why would you say that?”

My eyes opened, meeting shocked hazel ones. “You killed for me. And not just anyone. Your father.”

“That man was not my father,” Atlas spat.

I flinched and he cursed.

“I’m sorry. I—” He cut himself off, shaking his head. He brought a hand up to caress my cheek. “I would do anything for you. I wish I’d dealt with him sooner so that this never would’ve happened.”

My hand squeezed his harder. “Don’t. You have no responsibility here. None. Terra’s actions were his own.” I wasn’t going to let Atlas go down the route Phoenix had with Aiden.

Atlas bent down, pressing his forehead to mine. “I was so scared when you reached out through the bond. I know what my father’s capable of. If I’d lost you…”

My arms wrapped around Atlas. “I’m right here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

A shudder ran through him.

I didn’t know how to assure him, but I went with instinct. I tilted my face so that I could meet his lips. Licking the seam of his lips, I stroked inside the moment his opened.

Life and magic flowed between us. It was a gentle give and take, both of us needing to know that the other was okay, whole. We needed to feel that we weren’t a breath away from losing one another.

Atlas’s hand dipped into the bubbles, stroking my thigh.

Heat pooled in my belly.

“Atlas,” I breathed against his lips.

He gazed down at me, so much love in his eyes. “What do you need, Pip?”

“You.” Simple truth.

His hand dipped between my thighs, exploring, teasing.

I pressed my forehead against his. “I can’t lose you.”

Atlas slid two fingers inside me. “You won’t. Never gonna know a day without me.”

I gripped his shoulders as his fingers curled and twisted, as his thumb circled my clit.

“Love you,” I breathed as he worked me towards that mountaintop.

“With everything I have,” he echoed back.

His words were all it took. The orgasm swept over me in rolling waves of peace and comfort. And with the knowledge that we were forever.

36

I CURLED into Riven’s side as he wrapped an arm around me. He stroked his fingers up and down my arm. “Feeling better?”

My gaze flicked to the kitchen where I knew Atlas was, cheeks heating. “I am.” Body, mind, and spirit. My moments with Atlas in the bathtub had eased the worst of my pain too. Our closeness helping the bond to do its healing work.

Phoenix took my feet into his lap and began massaging them. “Good.”

“You’ll feel even better after this,” Atlas said, striding in with a tray.

“Hey,” Kai protested. “Where’s mine?”

Atlas simply rolled his eyes. “There’s plenty in the kitchen. You can serve yourself.”

Kai pouted. “But Aura got a tray with a flower.”

Phoenix snorted. “You’re a little pathetic. You know that, right?”

Kai huffed, getting to his feet. “Fine.”

The scents of garlic and tomatoes filled my nose and my stomach rumbled. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”

Atlas’s expression softened. “I wanted you to have your favorite.”

The lasagna Atlas made was better than anything I’d ever tasted. I could’ve eaten it almost daily. But I also knew it was labor-intensive. “Thank you.”

He bent, placing the tray on the coffee table and pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Anything for you.”

“Show off,” Riven ribbed.

Atlas’s eyes danced. “I’ll use whatever skills are in my arsenal to keep Aura happy.”

“I don’t blame you at all,” Phoenix said.

I swung my legs off his lap and sat up. There wasn’t just lasagna but steaming garlic bread with parmesan cheese, a Caesar salad, and a drink that looked delicious. I eyed Atlas carefully. “Is this one of those concoctions that’s going to knock me out?”

Atlas chuckled. “No, I swear. But it will promote recovery.”

My eyes narrowed. “If I pass out, I’m going to get you back. Like slip something in your drink and leave you in the quad in your boxers.”

Phoenix scoffed. “Like you could carry him out there.”

My lips twitched. “I’d bribe the rest of you to help me.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” Atlas said.

My brows lifted. “Try me.” I lifted the glass. “Still sure I should drink this?”

A grin spread across his face. “I’m sure.”

I took a testing sip. It was that same mixed berry one I’d had before and that one had only made me feel energized.

Kai strode back into the living room, and we all gaped at him. He had a bowl that was made to be a serving dish, not something to eat off of, and it was piled high with lasagna and garlic bread.

“Did you leave any for the rest of us?” Riven groused.

Kai mumbled around a bite of garlic bread.

“We can’t hear you, heathen,” Phoenix said.

Kai swallowed. “Atlas was smart. He made a double batch.”

Atlas sank into one of the chairs. “I wasn’t about to do battle with Kai over food.”

Riven arched a brow at him. “Says the person who has never shared his food with a soul until Aura showed up.”

He shrugged. “I know who’s worthy of my sharing.”

Riven pushed to his feet. “I’ll get plates for the rest of us. You guys want the works?”

Phoenix and Atlas nodded.

As Riven strode towards the kitchen, there was a knock on the door. He changed directions and moved to answer it.

Sariah’s voice filled the space. “Your Highness. I wondered if I could speak with Aura?”

Riven’s expression was stoic. “She’s eating dinner—”

“Come in, Sariah,” I called.

That was all she needed to dart around Riven and towards the living room. She smiled at me. “You look a lot better.”

“I feel it.” I motioned for her to take one of the empty chairs. “Do you want some lasagna? Atlas just made this and it’s amazing.”

Her eyes flared at that, glancing at Atlas. “Hidden talents, huh?”

He blushed and mumbled something under his breath.

“I actually just ate. But thank you.”

Phoenix studied the healer. “Is everything okay?”

Sariah twisted and untwisted her fingers. “I was actually wondering if I could speak to Aura alone.”

All of the guys stiffened. “That isn’t happening,” Riven growled.

I sighed. “I’m sorry. They’re in overprotective mode and they’re all nosy as hell. So, whatever you tell me, they’ll just find out anyway.”

Sariah’s lips pressed into a firm line, but she nodded. “I want to help you.”

I looked at her quizzically. “You did. I feel so much better. I swear.”

She shook her head. “Not healing help.”

I stayed quiet, waiting for Sariah to fill in the pieces.

She swallowed and then took a deep breath. “There are a lot of us who have been talking about what’s been going on around here.”

“What kind of talk?” Phoenix asked menacingly.

Thankfully, Sariah wasn’t intimidated by the prince of Ash. She met his stare head-on. “We know what’s coming. There’s no way things won’t come to a head with the Kingdoms of Zephyr or Terra, maybe both.”

A chill skittered down my spine because I knew she was right. The Kingdom of Terra might let things slide, hoping that having Atlas as a king would change the way their kingdom was run. But Zephyr? They weren’t going to bow out so easily when King Zephyr was still at the helm.

Kai popped a piece of garlic bread into his mouth. “This isn’t exactly new information.”

“He’s right,” Atlas agreed. “Talking about it is just freaking Aura out.”

I scowled at him. “I’m not weak.”

“I know you’re not, but you’ve been through a lot these past few days and you don’t need to fixate on horrific what-ifs.”

I sat up straighter. “It’s worth it if it means we’re prepared.”

Riven scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “We’re doing everything we can to make sure we’re prepared if my father attacks. Torrent and Ash troops are at the ready just waiting for the word if we need them.”

“That’s where I want to help,” Sariah cut in.

Riven arched a brow in her direction. “Do you have a secret life as an army general?”

She rolled her eyes. “No. But I’ve got probably one hundred people who have been overlooked by elemental society their entire lives. They’re sick of it.”

My chest constricted as I thought of all Kerry had been through and where that took her. I thought about how vicious students could be in the classes here. It was all out of fear. There was nothing worse than being perceived as weak.

“I hate that this is how things are here. That anyone feels like they are less than,” I said softly.

Phoenix shifted on the couch, leaning forward. “You’re right. The way things are set up in this realm are designed to pit us against one another. We should be fostering community, working together, no matter which kingdom you’re from, no matter what affinities you have.”

Emotion glittered in Sariah’s eyes. “That’s the change we’re hoping Aura will bring.”

A mixture of emotions swirled inside me. Pressure and anxiety warred with hope and pride. “I would love to be able to do that, but I don’t have the first idea of where to start.”

Riven sank down next to me, taking my hand. “You’re already doing it. The way you show kindness to everyone, no matter their abilities.”

“And it’s what we’ve been hoping for all along. To bring people together,” Atlas said. “We have some ideas, but we need to talk to people like Sariah and see what would make the situation better.”

Sariah grinned. “Right now, we want to fight.”

Kai’s hand froze halfway to his mouth with another bite of lasagna. “You want to fight?”

She sent him a pointed look. “We may not have the strongest affinities, but we have the same battle training as all of you. When the attack comes…use us.”

37

“I FEEL like I’m going to throw up,” I muttered as I pulled on my sneakers at the base of the steps.

Kai sent me a wicked grin. “You might feel barfy, but you look hot as hell.”

I glanced down at myself. I was wearing workout tights and a cropped sports top. I’d admit that it did good things for my boobs, but that was the last thing on my mind.

Atlas took my hand and pulled me to my feet. “This is going to be good. It’s just a first meeting. All of us training together. No pressure.”

“Until I get kicked on my ass and everyone wonders why I got that special aether gene,” I mumbled.

Riven frowned at me. “I’m not sure you should be training at all. You’re still recovering.”

I rolled my shoulders back, trying to alleviate the worst of the nerves. “I feel completely fine.”

It wasn’t a lie. After getting a good night’s sleep between all my guys, I felt completely back to normal.

Phoenix crossed to me and bent, skimming his lips along one of my silver markings. “You’re ready.”

A riot of sensations danced through me at the contact. I was no longer hiding the streaks of silver that adorned my skin and that felt damn good. This was the first step of owning who I was. I might not get everything right, but I would listen and learn and grow.

“You really can’t be doing that in public,” I said, voice going a bit husky.

Phoenix chuckled. “I’ll save it for private time then.”

A pleasant shiver trilled through me. “I’ll hold you to that.”

Kai patted my butt as he headed for the door. “I want in on after-school activities.”

I reached out and pinched his butt in retaliation.

Kai whirled. “Naughty, Pip. You’re gonna pay for that.”

“Promises, promises…”

Riven grinned. “Come on. Let’s get out of here before Kai holds Aura hostage in his room.”

“That sounds like a much better plan for the day than running drills all morning.”

We’d brought our idea for bringing people together to Headmaster Acker, and he’d agreed to suspend morning classes for the time being so that we could train. He’d also given us use of the professors and trainers to help us.

But I had no idea how the students who were used to running at the top of the pack would feel about it all. The status quo worked fine for them, and they may not be so keen to allow everyone into what they considered their sphere.

I took a deep breath and followed Kai out the front door. A flash of pain streaked through me at the sight of the guards waiting for us, because Carn wasn’t among them. But I swallowed hard and kept walking. I would honor him by trying to be the leader he thought I could be.

The guards surrounded us as we walked towards the grassy area in the middle of the quad. They weren’t taking any chances after what had happened with King Terra.

Kai slipped his hand into mine, squeezing. “You’re gonna do great.”

“I hope you’re right.” I had no plans to be some figurehead. I wasn’t going to get up in front of everyone and give a speech. My idea of leadership was a quieter kind, one that guided by example.

As we followed the path, a huge crowd of people greeted us. It was a complete mixture. Students of all grades, staff, and teachers. I gripped Kai’s hand tighter.

Headmaster Acker strode towards us. “How are you feeling, Aura?”

“Much better,” I said.

“Glad to hear it. I’ve got everyone here. Sarge had her team haul out equipment for fighting drills, and the professors are happy to work with smaller groups on their affinities.”

“I think we should mix up our groups,” I suggested.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” the headmaster pressed.

“I hate to break it to you, but this school is cliquey as hell. We need to break down those social barriers. Mix students up from different classes and affinity strengths, include staff in those groups. I think if people have the opportunity to help one another, it’ll bring us together.”

“I love that idea,” Professor Belthorn said as she walked up to our group. “What you’re doing here is wonderful, Aura. And so needed.”

“It’s really thanks to Sariah. She reminded us of just how many elementals feel overlooked,” I explained.

Riven dipped his head and pressed a kiss to my temple. “But that’s changing, starting today.”

I glanced at Professor Belthorn. “Do you think you could break everyone into groups?”

I wanted someone I trusted to really give us a cross section of the academy. Someone who believed in what we were doing. And from the looks on a few of the professors’ faces, not all of them did.

She beamed at me. “I’d be happy to.”

I BENT OVER, chest heaving.

“Is that the best you got, Princess?” Sariah teased, eyes dancing.

I collapsed onto the grass. “I yield. You are the most supreme in all the land.”

Chuckles rose up from the group surrounding us, and Sariah plopped down on the ground next to me. “Thanks for that. I haven’t had as good of a spar in a long time.”

Eva grinned. “Is it wrong of me to say it was a little nice to see you get your ass handed to you?”

I rolled my eyes. “Good to know we haven’t gotten automatic bestie status overnight.”

Eva grinned, but there was no animosity in it. She’d jumped right in and helped wherever she could this morning.

I forced myself into a sitting position and pointed at Sariah. “You’re a freaking badass.”

She shrugged. “When people see your lack of affinities as a weakness, you have to make sure you’re ready for whatever comes your way.”

I plucked up a piece of grass. “I’m sorry you dealt with that.”

“There could be worse things.”

A growl of frustration had my head snapping up. A girl about my age pushed to sit up after being knocked on her ass. Her opponent, a guy in the grade above me, offered his hand. She took it, climbing to her feet.

I stood, crossing over to them. “What’s the problem?”

She flushed. “No matter how hard I try, the most I can do is a trickle of air.”

“Wren, right?”

The girl nodded.

“Is air your main affinity?”

She bit her lip and nodded again. “My only one. I work in the kitchens. My magic wasn’t strong enough to get into one of the academies.”

My stomach twisted at that. If she’d wanted to learn, she should’ve had that chance.

I placed my hands on her shoulders. “Can you feel your connection to your air gift?” I knew what it was to be blocked off from my own and what a relief it had been when that connection grew stronger.

“I think so. When I focus on it, I feel…lighter.”

I grinned. “Great place to start. Close your eyes and sense into that feeling. Revel in it. No matter what the result is, it’s amazing that you have this connection to the world around you.”

Wren’s lips curved. “It is amazing when you think about it.”

“It is.” There was a hum under my palms, as if I could feel her gratitude rising up. “Okay. Open your eyes. Try again.”

I released Wren, and she stepped forward into the makeshift fight circle. The guy opposite her nodded in respect and they took up a fighting stance.

“Go,” I called.

They began circling each other. They each threw testing jabs and kicks. We weren’t going for harsh contact today, just enough to sting.

The guy, I thought his name was Cedar, flicked his hand and the ground beneath Wren trembled slightly. Just enough to throw her off-balance. But she caught herself.

Wren raised her palm and a soft breeze picked up, but it wasn’t enough to cause anything more than Cedar’s hair to ruffle.

He took the opening, charging towards her.

Wren’s eyes narrowed, pressing her affinity harder.

A cry sounded from the air, then another. A flock of massive birds dove towards the earth, straight for Cedar.

“Holy shit,” he bellowed, dropping to the ground and covering his head.

Wren’s hands fell to her sides as she gasped. The moment her arms dropped, the birds rose back into the air and flew away. Her eyes went wide. “D-did I do that?”

38

“THAT WAS INSANE,” Kai said as he strode across the quad to us. “You some kind of animal whisperer?”

Wren stared up at the sky and then down at her hands. “Nothing like that has ever happened to me before.”

Cedar climbed to his feet. “Well, it was totally badass.”

Atlas and Riven wore matching expressions of concern as they hurried over, Phoenix trailing behind. But Phoenix just looked thoughtful, as if he were putting the pieces of some puzzle together.

Riven crossed to Wren. “Did it feel like you were using your air affinity?”

Wren bit her lip. “Kind of? I was trying to. It felt like it was connected to that, but different somehow.”

Quincy headed in our direction from where he had been talking in hushed tones to Headmaster Acker. “Wren, can you try to call on it again?”

Her eyes widened. “I don’t even know what I was calling on.”

“Think about the moment the birds appeared. What were you trying to do?”

“I was trying to shove Cedar back using my air.”

Quincy nodded. “Try that again.”

Wren looked unsure, but Cedar grinned at her. “Come on. Give me your best shot.”

She huffed out a breath and raised her hands. A gentle breeze swept through the air. But nothing else happened.

I worried a spot on the inside of my cheek. “Think about how frustrated you were. Channel that.”

Sariah moved in next to me. “Think about all the times someone has pushed you around and called you weak.”

That did the trick. The breeze picked up a fraction, and a different flock of birds cried out from above. In a matter of seconds, they too were dive-bombing Cedar.

Wren dropped her hands in a flash, and the birds rose in flight again. “It was me…”

Quincy clapped his hands. “All right, everyone. That’s enough for today. We’ll reconvene here tomorrow.”

Riven stalked towards him. “What’s going—?”

Quincy cut him off with a shake of his head. “Not here.”

Wren sent me a hopeful look. “Will you help me again tomorrow?”

“Of course, but I’m pretty sure that was all you.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Sariah said as she headed off after Wren, Cedar, and Eva.

Quincy inclined his head towards the academic building. “Let’s go to my office.”

Atlas wrapped an arm around me. “Are you okay?”

“Sure. I just…I’ve never seen anything like that.”

“Me either,” Kai said. “It was freaking awesome.”

Phoenix gave me another thoughtful look.

“What?” I probed.

“I just find it interesting that she finds some crazy new ability after you touch her.”

“You think I had something to do with that?” I squeaked.

“Shhh!” Quincy ordered. “Not here.”

I snapped my mouth closed as a wave of nausea rolled through me. This wasn’t possible. There was no way. People didn’t just magically get some never heard of magical gift. There were the four elements and a couple of other specialties like healing and Atlas’s sense of the truth.

Quincy opened the door to the academic building, and we moved inside. The hallways were completely quiet since everyone had been at the training on the quad. But still, none of us said a word until Quincy unlocked the door to the library and we were safely inside.

“What the hell is going on?” Riven demanded.

“I need my book,” Quincy muttered.

He made a beeline to his office, and we followed behind him. He began pawing through stacks of papers and books.

Kai let out a low whistle. “It looks like there was a tornado in here.”

Quincy had always had books and tchotchkes lying around, but his office had never been this kind of messy. Guilt pricked at me. It was a disaster zone because he’d been so dedicated to helping me.

“Got it!” he called, lifting an old leather-bound book. He flipped through the pages. “No, not that. Here. This is it.” His eyes scanned the page while we waited.

I looked up at Atlas. “I don’t think I’m ready for another revelation.”

He bent, brushing his lips across mine. “Whatever happens, we deal with it together.”

“I was wrong…” Quincy said.

“What do you mean?” Riven pushed.

“When I was reading the texts we have about Quintessence aethers, they talked about the rise in the strength of abilities and the discovery of unique gifts. I thought they just meant within your bond.”

Kai’s brow furrowed. “But that is what happened. We’re all twice as strong as before we met Aura, and we have the mind speak and can sense how each other are feeling.”

Quincy nodded. “I know, I know. But I think it’s more than that.”

“Tell them,” Phoenix said as if he already knew.

Quincy’s gaze locked with mine. “I think Aura has the ability to bestow new gifts onto elementals.”

Panic streaked through Riven’s expression. “If my father finds out, he’ll never let go of his obsession with you.”

39

THE DOOR to Crown Hall closed with a thud and silence reigned around us. After our conversation with Quincy, we’d had to go to lunch and afternoon classes, and there hadn’t been time to talk. But when classes had ended and we’d walked back to our dorm, none of us had said much.

“I’m going to make us a good dinner,” Atlas said quietly and headed for the kitchen without any of us saying a word.

Kai cracked his neck. “I think I might take a swim. It’s been a while.” He glanced at me. “That okay with you?”

“Of course.” I ignored the pang in my heart. I knew we all needed time to process Quincy’s revelations in our own ways.

Kai headed towards the back door. “I’ll be back for dinner.”

Riven pressed his lips to my temple. “I’m going to look over the security measures that are currently in place.”

My stomach twisted, but I nodded. I hated that he was taking the weight of this on his shoulders.

As Riven disappeared into the living room, Phoenix wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Want to spar?”

I looked up at him, brows raised. “You’re not ditching me too?”

“Sorry, you’re stuck with me. We can just chill if you’d rather watch a movie or something.”

I shook my head. I needed to work through some of this anxiety and frustration. “Let’s spar.”

Phoenix grinned. “Backyard?”

“Perfect.”

We headed for the back door and stepped into the golden light of late afternoon. I took a deep breath, letting the fresh air cleanse away the worst of my tension. If I was going head-to-head with Phoenix, I needed my wits about me.

“Let’s do a quick warm-up. Don’t want you pulling anything,” he said.

We picked up an easy rhythm with jumping jacks until I felt a low heat in my muscles. Then I folded over to stretch my hamstrings.

“How does your body feel?” Phoenix asked as he did a quad stretch.

I straightened, moving into an arm stretch. “Good. I think I’ve fully recovered.”

He nodded.

I appreciated that Phoenix wasn’t pushing, but at the same time I felt as if I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. For him to ask me if I was okay, or what I thought about Quincy’s theories.

I rolled to the balls of my feet, testing my weight. I needed to move, to hit something.

Phoenix seemed to sense that. “Ready?”

I jerked my head in a nod.

He held out his fists. “Fifty percent contact.”

I touched my fists to his. “Fair enough.” That would still give me the hit of endorphins I needed.

We moved around each other in the grass, staying light on our feet and looking for openings. I sent out a testing jab that Phoenix easily dodged. He apparently hadn’t let the events of the day distract him.

Phoenix swung his leg out and it swept my feet out from under me. I cursed as I landed on my back. He wasn’t even moving at full speed.

He held out a hand to help me to my feet. “Again.”

I appreciated that he didn’t ask if I was okay. I brought my hands up to my face and began moving again. Circling Phoenix, I landed a hook shot to his ribs, but he was fast enough to twist out of my way so that he missed the worst of it.

The bite of frustration was enough to distract me, and Phoenix got in a hit to my jaw. He pulled back at the last second, just tapping the bone.

I let out a low growl. “That’s not fifty percent.”

He shrugged. “I don’t relish punching my mate in the face. So, sue me.”

I huffed but didn’t wait, instead going for a kick to his solar plexus. Phoenix caught my ankle and I tumbled backward.

“Fuck!” I yelled.

Phoenix’s brows rose as I struggled to my feet.

“Again,” I said.

“You sure? I don’t think your head’s in the right place.”

“Would yours be?” I challenged.

“Probably not. But I don’t want you to get hurt because you’re distracted.”

I stared at him incredulously. “When you’re frustrated, you go work off a hit list. Isn’t that just a little bit dangerous?”

He barked out a laugh. “You’ve got a point there.”

Something about the laugh melted away the worst of my annoyance. I flopped down on the grass. “I’m sorry, that was bitchy.”

He took a seat next to me. “You’re allowed to have a moment.”

I made a face. “Not if it’s mean.”

Phoenix’s hand dipped under my hair and began massaging my neck. “It wasn’t mean. It was funny. And true. I use that hit list to work off steam whenever my emotions get too intense.”

I linked my fingers with his free ones and squeezed. “You do what you have to do, and you’re ridding the world of the worst kinds of people at the same time.”

He leaned his forehead against mine. “You get me.”

My lips curved. “And you get me.”

“Which is why I know you’ll deal with this new gift. You’ll use it for good.”

Everything in me tightened. “I want to.”

“You will.” Phoenix’s thumb stroked the back of my hand. “I have a theory.”

I looked up at him, waiting for more.

“I don’t think you’re giving these people gifts out of the blue.”

“You don’t?”

Phoenix shook his head. “I think you’re unlocking something already within them. Wren has an air gift, the animals she called on were birds, she’s also named after a bird. I’d venture a guess that she already has a closeness with animals.”

I mulled over Phoenix’s idea. “It would take some of the pressure off. I just kept thinking that if this is my gift, how do I know who’s deserving of it? How do I know who to give gifts to and how do I control what I give?”

“I don’t think you have to. I think you’re more of a conduit, letting elemental magic flow through you.”

My mouth curved. “That’s what it felt like. It was almost as if I could feel Wren’s gratitude for her abilities when my hands were on her shoulders.”

“And you helped her find that gratitude. That’s the empathy the texts were talking about. You can sense where people are and meet them there. This new gift is just an added piece of that.”

Warmth spread through me. “I love that idea. Think about all the people I could help.”

“Are you crazy?” Riven’s voice cut across the backyard. “You can’t expose that you have this ability. It would be signing your own death warrant.”

40

I PINCHED the bridge of my nose as voices rose around me. The moment Riven had heard my plans to use this new ability, he’d called a bond meeting. But mostly, it was just the guys arguing about how I should handle things.

“It’s too dangerous,” Riven gritted out. “It’ll expose her.”

“I agree,” Atlas said. “Until we can deal with Zephyr, we don’t tell anyone. She hides it.”

Kai leaned back in his chair. “I get that it’s dangerous, but maybe there’s another way—”

“There isn’t,” Riven cut him off.

The only one who was quiet was Phoenix.

“Do any of you care what I want?” I asked. My words were quiet, voice pitched low, but four sets of eyes snapped to me.

“Of course, we do,” Atlas assured me. “But we also want to make sure you’re safe.”

“And I’ll listen to your concerns, but at the end of the day, this is a gift that I’ve been given. A gift that’s meant to help others.”

Riven shook his head. “If my father found out? He’d double his efforts to capture you for sure.”

“Then that’s a risk I’ll have to take.” Because I wasn’t going to ignore this pull just because it might put more of a target on my back. There was a feeling deep inside that this was what I was meant for. I’d always been unsure about ruling, about being an aether, but this? It made sense in my soul. Helping people be seen for who they truly were.

Phoenix ran his finger over the edge of his glass. “This is what Aura was born to do.”

Riven let out a low growl. “And she can do it. Later.”

I shook my head. “These people have been waiting long enough. They know what it’s like to be overlooked and kicked around. I might not have grown up in the elemental world, but I know what that’s like. Whether it was because we didn’t have a lot of money or were from a bad neighborhood. I know what it feels like to be looked down on.”

“Aura…” Riven began.

“No. I have been unsure about all of this aether stuff until now. This is my way of helping. And I’m going to do it.”

I TOOK a deep breath as I started down the stairs. Things had been tense last night. So much so that I’d ended up having my bed to myself for the first time since I’d moved into Crown Hall. It had felt far too cold and lonely. But that wasn’t going to change my plan.

As I reached the bottom of the steps, Kai appeared and pulled me into his arms. His lips ghosted over my hair. “I’m sorry, Pip. You know I’m always on your side, right?”

I sagged into his hold. “It never hurts to hear it.”

“Number one fan who knows you can do anything you put your mind to, right here.”

I chuckled and turned so that I could brush my lips across his. “Love you, Golden God.”

“Love you too.”

Heat seeped into my back as I felt Atlas’s large form press in behind me. “He’s right. I’ve seen you make miracles time and time again. I’m sorry I let my fears get in the way.”

I turned in Kai’s arms so that I could see my gentle giant. I pressed my palm to his cheek. “I know it’s hard to watch someone you care about put themselves in danger, but King Zephyr is already after us. Using this new ability will only give us more of a fighting chance.”

“She’s got a point there,” Phoenix said with a smile. As protective as he was, he’d always been the one to let me spread my wings and challenge my abilities.

Riven appeared from the kitchen, stopping a few steps away from us. Dark shadows rimmed his eyes.

Guilt immediately swamped me. I wriggled out from between Kai and Atlas and crossed to him.

Riven’s hands rose, cupping my face. “I keep screwing up.”

My brows furrowed.

“Keep trying to take away your choices. I’m so sorry, Aura.”

Everything in me softened and I wrapped my arms around him. “Control is what has kept you safe for most of your life. It makes sense you’d want to use that tool with me. But you’re catching yourself now, realizing it isn’t always best.”

He nuzzled my neck, breathing me in. “I missed you last night.”

“I missed you too.”

Riven held me close for a few beats. “Let your gift fly today. It’ll be an honor to watch.”

My throat burned. “Thank you.”

Phoenix clapped. “Come on, let’s go see what our girl can do.”

WE WORKED in different groups assigned by Professor Belthorn today. I only knew two people in mine. Phoenix and Xena. I’d braced for vitriol from her, but she’d been mostly quiet. She did as she was told and kept her head down.

A slender guy tapped his fingers against his thighs in a rapid rhythm as Sarge instructed us on a new fight drill. He hadn’t had a ton of luck today. While he had a decent earth gift that had gotten him into the academy, he struggled with hand-to-hand.

“All right, pair up,” Sarge barked.

I got to my feet, smiling at the guy. “Want to be partners?”

He winced. “Sure. We’ve got healers around, right?” he said with a chuckle, but it was forced.

“I won’t break any of your bones if you promise me the same.”

He snorted. “I’ve seen you fight. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“I’ve been working at it pretty hard. But Phoenix put me on my ass twice yesterday.”

Phoenix shot me a grin. “I’ll do it again later if you’re real nice.”

I just shook my head and began circling the guy. “What’s your name?”

“Aaron.”

“Nice to officially meet you.”

“You too.”

We traded punches and kicks and I did my best to take it easy on him, but it wasn’t long before Aaron was winded. One of my punches hit a little harder than I’d intended. “Shit, sorry about that.”

He waved me off. “It’s okay. I’m not the greatest at this.”

I studied him for a minute. “Can I try something?”

He looked wary but nodded.

I placed a hand on his shoulder. “Close your eyes and feel your connection to your magic.”

Aaron did as I instructed, and I could feel that now-familiar hum under my palm. Excitement bubbled in my belly. “I can feel it, how strong it is.”

A smile curved his mouth, and I could feel the joy he had when experiencing his magic. I released my hold and stepped back. “Let’s try again.”

Aaron was amused at my little exercise but just shrugged and picked up a fighting stance.

“Feel that tie to your magic and don’t pull any punches.”

Aaron took a deep breath and kicked out. His leg moved so fast, I didn’t have a prayer of dodging it. Gone were the slow punches and kicks. Aaron was like a speed machine. The image of his earlier nervous energy filled my mind. This was the elemental magic channeling it into good.

“What the hell is happening?” he asked with a laugh.

I grinned at him. “You’re finding the strengths that were there all along.”

41

I TOYED with the wrapper for the sandwich Atlas had made me as we all stretched out on the grass. The sun streamed down on us as we finished lunch on our back patio. We’d spent the hour recounting everything that had happened during training this morning. Aaron wasn’t the only one to have a new ability revealed. A member of the grounds staff had grown a tree from nothing. And a girl with only a weaker air affinity had learned she could fly. Not just jump off buildings and land like Phoenix liked to do, but full-on soar through the clouds.

Kai grinned at me as he leaned back in his chair. “Maybe you’ll give us secondary gifts too.”

I rolled my eyes. “You guys are already the most powerful elementals here. That isn’t enough?”

His lips twitched. “I’m thinking sex magic…”

I choked on my drink.

He tapped a finger against his lips. “Actually, I think I already have that.”

Phoenix tossed a potato chip at him. “You’re hopeless.”

Atlas looked at me with a tender expression. “It’s amazing what you’ve done for these people, Aura. Did you see Wren today?”

I shook my head.

“She was like a different person,” Riven said. “It’s not just the new ability. It’s how discovering it gave her confidence.”

Atlas nodded. “It changed her whole outlook on herself.”

Warmth spread through my chest. “I can’t think of anything better than that.”

Riven rested a hand on my thigh. “I was wrong. You should be using this gift every chance you have.”

My throat burned. “We’ll all be better for it.”

I ripped at my napkin. A million different thoughts running through my head, but one rising above all the rest.

“What’s going on in that big brain of yours?” Kai asked.

“I want to go see Kerry.”

The guys froze.

“I’m sorry, I thought you just said you wanted to go see the traitorous bitch who tried to kill you,” Phoenix growled.

“She didn’t actually try.” It was a half-assed argument, but it was the best I had.

“Fine. She sold you out to my evil brother. That might be worse.”

I worried the inside of my cheek. “I need to talk to her. Helping all these people who have struggled the way Kerry did? I can’t help but think about all the ways I failed her.”

“You didn’t fail her,” Atlas said. “You showed her nothing but kindness.”

I shook my head. “I wasn’t a very good friend. I wasn’t there for her the way I should’ve been. If I had, she wouldn’t have fallen for Aiden’s ploys.”

Phoenix’s gaze bored into mine. “If I can’t take on my brother’s actions, neither can you.”

“I’m not taking them on, I’m just saying I have been pretty self-focused the past month. I let my friend down.”

Riven squeezed my thigh. “We all have those moments. We all make mistakes. But that doesn’t excuse what she did.”

My breath hitched, the hurt of Kerry’s betrayal blazing fresh. “I know. But I still want to talk to her.”

Kai pushed his chair back from the table. “Then we go together.”

“Now?” I squeaked.

“Putting it off will just make you more nervous.” Kai held out his hand to me.

He was right. Better to just rip off the Band-Aid. I slid my hand into his and stood.

“We’ll all go,” Atlas decided.

“I want to talk to her alone though.”

Kerry would only be intimidated by the royals.

Phoenix’s teeth ground together. “You stay out of the cell.”

I blew out a breath but nodded. “Let’s go.”

THE DUNGEON WAS JUST as dark and damp as I remembered. The only glow coming from sconces that lined the stone walls. I swallowed as I stepped down the final stair.

The four guards positioned down here nodded at me, already having gotten word of my arrival through their earpieces.

I looked back at Phoenix whose jaw was tight. He gave me a rough nod. “We’ll wait here.”

Kai pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Get your closure, Pip.”

Riven nodded, and Atlas sent me an encouraging smile. But I didn’t miss the worry in their eyes.

I forced myself to turn away from the comfort and security the guys held. Scanning the surrounding cells, I caught sight of a form huddled on a cot. My chest tightened, but I started towards the cell.

My footsteps echoed in the cavernous space. Kerry didn’t look up. She sat on her cot, a blanket around her shoulders and hair falling in her face. Her red curls were tangled and knotted in haphazard disarray.

I stopped in front of her cell. She still didn’t look up. I cleared my throat. Still nothing.

“Kerry?”

Her entire body jerked at my voice. Slowly, her head rose. And there was only one word to describe her expression. Haunted.

I swallowed hard. Suddenly, I had no idea what to say. I wanted to ask how she was, but the answer was clear without her uttering a word. I couldn’t exactly start with idle chitchat either. So, I went with the honest truth.

“I’m sorry.”

Kerry blinked a handful of times as if trying to clear her vision. “You’re sorry?” she croaked.

I linked my fingers in front of me, squeezing them together. “I wasn’t there for you when you needed me. I got so focused on everything that was happening with me, I didn’t see that you were hurting. I’m sorry I wasn’t a better friend.”

Shock swept over her expression and then tears gathered in her eyes. “I don’t know what’s true anymore.”

The complete desolation in Kerry’s voice cracked something deep in my chest. “What do you mean?”

“He said you didn’t care. That you’d abandoned me the second the royals came along.”

I winced. I could see how Aiden had made a convincing argument with that one. “I cared, Kerry. I still do. But I did get caught up with everything going on in my own life.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I loved him. He made me feel not so alone.”

God, I wanted to pull her into my arms and hug her tight. “I know you did.”

“But he wasn’t good, was he?”

There was a childlike vulnerability in Kerry’s voice then. One that just had those cracks in my chest digging deeper.

“He can be bad but still have been good to you.” It was the one kindness I could give her, understanding, empathy. But if Aiden was standing before me right now? I’d end him all over again for the way he had twisted her mind.

42

“I’LL COME CHECK on you again in a couple days,” I said, pushing to my feet. My back ached from sitting on the hard cement floor for so long. But Kerry had seemed so damn lonely, I couldn’t leave.

“You don’t have to,” she said softly.

I arched my spine, trying to loosen things again. “I want to.”

Kerry nodded slowly, her eyes glistening again. “He was so wrong about you.”

My heart squeezed. “I’m glad you think so. See you in a couple days. Do you want some books?”

The corners of her mouth lifted. “That would be great.”

“I’ll pull some things together.”

“Thanks.”

I lifted my hand in a little half wave that was ridiculous given the circumstances, but I did it anyway. Kerry answered with her own. I turned and headed back towards the stairwell.

The guys were still there. But now they were sprawled out on the steps. I couldn’t believe they’d all stayed. I’d been here for at least two hours.

Atlas was the first to his feet. “How was it?”

I let out a shaky breath. “Good. I think anyway.”

Riven stood and wrapped an arm around me. “Let’s get out of here and you can tell us all about it.”

I nodded. The dampness in the air felt as if it had made it into my bones. “I need some sunshine.”

Kai grinned. “I’ve got the perfect spot.”

Phoenix was quiet, just studying me as we made our way out of the dungeon and into the entryway of Winthrop Hall. The place was quiet since everyone was in classes. I winced thinking about missing an entire afternoon, but hopefully I could make up any classwork.

Atlas opened one of the front doors and held it for us.

“This way,” Kai said, leading us around the massive stone building and towards the forest.

He headed down a path I’d never seen before. The worn dirt was nearly overgrown with vegetation, barely visible.

“If you get us lost—” Riven warned.

“Have a little faith,” Kai shot back.

Atlas snorted. “You have gotten us in more trouble than anyone over the years.”

Phoenix’s lips twitched. “Remember when he stole a barrel of ale from the local tavern?”

Riven grinned, shaking his head. “He told us he’d found it.”

“Hey,” Kai clipped. “At least we were nice and buzzed when we got thrown in lockup.”

My eyes widened. “You got them arrested?”

“You say it like it’s so bad. A little trouble is a rite of passage when you’re a teenager.”

Atlas rolled his eyes. “We had to work in the tavern for a month to pay off Kai’s stunt.”

“We had fun,” Kai argued.

Phoenix sent him a pointed look. “I was accosted every single night by that woman who was old enough to be my mother.”

Riven choked on a laugh. “She knew what she wanted…”

“It’s not funny. She cornered me in the break room one night…naked.”

All of the guys burst into laughter at that. I bit my lip to keep from joining them.

Phoenix shook his head. “You guys are the worst.”

I wrapped an arm around his waist as the path spilled us out into a grassy field. “I’m sorry you were accosted. I’ll keep you safe now.”

“You better,” he growled, dipping his head to kiss me.

When he pulled back, I caught sight of what was in front of us and gasped.

The grassy field had a slight shimmer to it, and it dipped down into a wide creek that widened into a sort of pool at its bend. The water was the most amazing turquoise I’d ever seen. Like photos of Caribbean seas. Large trees arched over the pool with glittering vines. Dozens of butterflies rested atop the vines, their wings every color under the rainbow.

“What is this place?” I whispered.

“My favorite spot on campus,” Kai said with a soft smile. “I was just waiting for the perfect time to bring you here.”

“What about us?” Phoenix huffed. “This place is amazing.”

Kai shot him a sidelong look. “Like you showed us your roof?”

He gave him a sheepish smile. “I guess we all need our hiding spots.”

I crossed to Kai and wrapped him in a hug. “This place is magic. Thank you. I needed this.” More than I’d realized.

His hand brushed over my face. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I leaned into him, letting my body sag against his. As if through the action I could rest all my worries. “He twisted her mind.”

Phoenix stiffened. “Aiden was always good at that.”

Atlas clapped his hand on Phoenix’s shoulder. “People know the truth now.”

“Does Kerry?” he asked.

My fingers twisted in Kai’s shirt. “I think she’s starting to see glimpses of the truth through it all. But she loved him. The belonging he gave her anyway.”

Riven nodded. “He made her feel not so much on the outside.”

“Exactly,” I said. “It kills me that those feelings left her exposed to his manipulations.”

Atlas met my gaze. “But you’re helping to change things so that doesn’t happen anymore. You’re making sure each of us are seen, that everyone’s true gifts are revealed, that they find a sense of purpose and self-worth.”

My eyes burned. “Only a few people. It’ll take so much more than that.”

Kai shook his head. “It’s not just the new gifts. It’s the sense of community. I’ve seen it developing in the groups in training. Mixing everyone up was a great idea. People are recognizing strengths beyond affinities and they’re supporting each other as they grow.”

Hope lit deep in my chest. “I want that so badly.”

He closed in on my side, taking my mouth in a slow kiss. “It’s happening. Just give it time.”

I nodded.

Kai’s mouth curved in a mischievous grin. “Now…I think we need some fun.”

I gave him a wary look. “No stealing barrels of ale.”

He snorted. “Nope, I had something else in mind…”

In a flash, he hauled me into his arms and took off running for the creek.

“Kai Torrent,” I shrieked. “Put me down right now!”

“Okay.” He tossed me into the air.

My arms windmilled as I sailed and landed with a splash in the water. I braced for cold, but the pool was like warm bathwater. I broke the surface with a splutter and glared at Kai. “You are going to pay for that.”

He just grinned and pulled off his T-shirt.

I nearly swallowed my tongue. It had been too long since I’d had an opportunity to look my fill. Kai’s golden skin pulled taut over defined pecs and abs. The dusting of hair that disappeared into his shorts had me swallowing hard.

“See something you like, Pip?” he called.

I reached down, pulled off one of my sneakers and chucked it at him. “It’s not nice to be so cocky.”

He caught it with a laugh. “You’d never want me any other way.”

He was right, but I still chucked my second sneaker at him.

Kai caught that one too. He shucked his shorts and ran for the water’s edge, arching into a perfect dive.

I turned around, searching for him. But he was nowhere to be found. Just as panic took flight in my belly, hands circled my waist and I let out a little scream.

Kai broke the surface laughing. “Gotcha.”

I splashed him. “You’re the worst.”

His fingers grabbed hold of my sports top. “You sure about that?”

With far too much dexterity, he pulled the top over my head and sent it sailing to shore. My workout tights quickly followed. I had no idea how since the water had practically painted them on my skin.

A splash sounded, followed by a second and then a third.

A large form pushed in behind me as Atlas’s pine scent filled my nose. I let my head tip back against his chest and his arms came around my waist.

Riven moved in on my left side, his lips skimming along my shoulder to my neck. “For once, I love one of Kai’s plans.”

Kai smacked the back of his head, but Riven ignored him.

Phoenix completed our circle, his fingers skimming up my stomach to my breasts that rested on the top of the water. “So damn pretty like this.”

Kai bent, taking my mouth. His kiss wasn’t as gentle as I was expecting. Instead, it was rough and demanding. His tongue parted my lips and dove deep. I gave as good as I got, dueling for dominance.

Phoenix’s thumb circled my nipple and then he rolled the bud, sending sparks of pleasure ricocheting through my body.

Riven’s lips moved to the silver markings on my chest. His tongue traced the cracks and lines. Each point of contact had me gasping into Kai’s mouth.

Kai pulled back, eyes hooded. “Hell, she likes that, Riv.”

Atlas’s hand parted my thighs, two fingers pushing into me.

I arched back on a moan. My water affinity responded without me truly instructing it to. The only thought in my mind was that I wanted my bond to feel the same pleasure I was.

All of the guys groaned. I could feel it then. My water magic stroking them, teasing and toying.

Kai leaned forward again. “You little minx. I told you that you were going to be a water elemental.”

I laughed against his lips, thinking of that first day we’d met. So much had changed since that day. But so much was the same. The spark I felt for each of the guys I’d met. The same deep pull to all of them.

My lips parted, sucking in air, as Atlas’s fingers curled inside me just as Phoenix took my nipple between his lips.

My magic flared and the guys cursed. It only made me smile.

Kai’s lips were on mine again, a feral need in the way he drank me in. Riven peppered my silver markings with kisses and bites that had my pleasure spiking in an almost painful burst.

“Holy hell,” Atlas whispered.

My eyes flared open to see silver bleeding out into the water around us. It swirled in beautiful arcs, encircling all five of us. When it touched my skin, sensation erupted everywhere. It dug deep, making a home in my muscle and sinew, then lighting it aflame.

My head tipped back against Atlas, and I gave myself over to it. Wave after wave crashed into me as Atlas’s fingers played me like a master musician. I lost track of who was touching me where. And the truth was, it didn’t matter, because it was what they all gave me together that sent me cascading over the edge.

And as black spots dotted my vision, I knew I could get lost here forever.

43

CONSCIOUSNESS PULLED AT ME. Roving hands and a cocoon of heat warring against each other. I let out a soft moan and was answered with a couple of deep chuckles.

That delicious sound had my eyelids fluttering. Light poured into my vision, and it took a few seconds to get my bearings. I was back in our room in Crown Hall.

Kai stroked my thigh. “I’m not sure if she’s happy about being woken up.”

“I was so cozy,” I complained.

Phoenix grinned, nuzzling my neck. “Think you might want to wake up for this…”

His words had the rest of my senses flaring to life. Vanilla, sugar, bacon…

Atlas’s lips twitched as he set a massive tray on the bed. There was enough French toast and bacon to feed all of us for a week. My stomach promptly let out a deafening growl.

Riven choked on a laugh. “Someone feed this girl before she combusts.”

I glared at him. “I wouldn’t be so hungry if you guys hadn’t worn me out yesterday.”

He just sent me a sheepish smile.

It was their fault. The new level of magic in our connection had made it impossible to stop touching each other. So, we hadn’t. Not until I’d promptly passed out at some point during the night.

Atlas lifted a plate heaped high with food and set it on my lap. “Eat.”

I arched a brow at him. “Please?”

His lips twitched. “Please.”

I took a huge bite of my French toast. The moan that slipped from my lips was embarrassingly loud. But it couldn’t be helped. It was too good. The thick bread was coated in a sweet, flaky cereal and fried to perfection. There were hints of vanilla and cinnamon and something I couldn’t recognize.

When my eyes opened, four other sets were on me. Heat danced in each pair. I wiped at the corner of my mouth. “Oops.”

Kai burst out laughing and collapsed into me. “God, I love you.”

Riven grinned. “Life would be damn boring without you.”

Phoenix adjusted himself. “Even if I am hard as hell half the time.”

Atlas cupped himself. “Pretty sure I have a permanent case of blue balls.”

My mouth fell open. “Blue balls?” With as much as we were all together?

Kai shook his head, a smile still on his face. “You have no idea how tempting you are, Pip.”

“No idea at all.” Phoenix pressed a kiss to my neck.

I let out a huff and shoved more French toast into my mouth.

A pounding sounded downstairs, as if someone were trying to knock down the door.

Riven and Atlas were on their feet in a flash. “We’ll see who it is,” Riven said.

The French toast turned to lead in my stomach. Nothing good came from a knock like that.

The rest of us hurried to get up as Riven and Atlas headed downstairs. None of us said a thing as we grabbed the first clothes we could find and rushed to pull them on. Then we were flying down the steps.

I didn’t miss how Kai and Phoenix positioned themselves in front of me on the way down. I bit back my growl of frustration because my position meant that I couldn’t see over their heads.

A harried-looking Quincy ran a hand through his gray hair as he shook his head.

My stomach cramped and I picked up my pace.

“What is it?” Phoenix demanded.

Worry lined all the men’s faces, but it was Riven who spoke. “Quincy has reason to believe we need to go on alert.”

Quincy scrubbed a hand over his face. “A handful of Terra and Zephyr students left last night.”

Disappointment twisted deep. I’d thought we’d made progress with everyone who’d decided to stay on campus. That we’d built up a rapport. But apparently, I was wrong.

I worried that spot on the inside of my cheek. “I thought things were going well.”

Sympathy filled Quincy’s expression. “I don’t think that’s why.”

“Then why?” Phoenix growled.

“Cedar came to me a little bit ago,” Quincy explained.

“Wren’s partner from training?” I asked.

Quincy nodded. “He was nervous as hell but said he believed in what you were doing.”

Dread pooled deep inside me.

Quincy stared out the back windows of the living room. “Cedar’s mother called him crying. Said he had to leave right then. To come home.”

That dread inside me grew. “He’s from Terra, right?”

Quincy nodded.

At the motion, Atlas’s back went ramrod straight. “What did they do?” he gritted out.

Quincy’s shoulders stooped. “There are rumors they are joining forces with Zephyr to take the academy.”

The guys spat curses.

“Are you sure?” Riven asked.

“There’s no reason to believe they wouldn’t. With all the students who have left? It seems the likeliest answer,” Quincy said.

My mind whirled. “How many academy guards do we have?”

Quincy’s lips pursed as he did some mental calculations. “I’d guess about sixty.”

There were about one hundred people who had been practicing in the quad the past two days.

I turned to Riven and Atlas. “How many in the Zephyr and Terra armies?”

Atlas swallowed hard, his jaw working. “Over a thousand in the Terra army.” He shook his head. “I never thought they’d stoop to this.”

Fiery claws speared my chest, and I knew I was experiencing an echo of Atlas’s pain. The shredding of his heart at the betrayal of his people.

“I thought at least a good portion of them would welcome my leadership.” His voice grew rougher with each word.

I reached out, taking his hand in mine. “We don’t know anything yet. They could still surprise you.”

He stared down at me. “I’m so sorry, Aura.”

“No!” I spat. “Don’t you dare. Your father has poured poison into your people for decades. It’s going to take time to carve out the rot, but you are going to do it. You’re going to make Terra a warm and welcoming place, one where all people are welcomed and cared for.”

Emotions flitted across Atlas’s face. “You have too much faith in me.”

“No.” I stretched up on my tiptoes to press my lips to the underside of his jaw. “I have just enough.”

Phoenix looked at Riven. “Do you know how many are in the Zephyr army these days?”

He shook his head. “There are fifteen hundred that I know of. But my father likes to keep secrets. I’d bet there are at least two thousand.”

I felt sick. If they all came here, it would be a slaughter.

I glanced at Kai and Phoenix. “What about Torrent and Ash?”

Kai nodded. “Let me call my dad. They were worried that if they sent the majority of troops to Kingwood, Zephyr would use the opportunity to attack, but I know he’ll split our troops now.”

Everything in me twisted into knots. King Torrent and King Ash had their own people to protect. Families and children. Their livelihoods. I’d never forgive myself if they came to protect us and lost everything in the process.

But Kai was already dialing. His father picked up on the third ring. “Have you been attacked?” he barked.

Kai was instantly on alert. “No, but there are rumors. What have you heard?”

“Terra raiding parties just began systematic attacks on our guard towers.”

Atlas’s shoulders slumped, but he quickly straightened, striding to Kai so that he could see King Torrent on screen. Atlas gave a quick dip of his head. “Your Highness. These are unsanctioned attacks—”

“I bloody know it,” King Torrent clipped. “My head guard recognized your father’s extremists. The worst of the worst.”

Atlas’s mouth thinned into a hard line. “His personal guard. My father trained them himself. They’re ruthless. Do whatever you have to in order to take them out.”

King Torrent jerked his head in a nod. “We’ll send as many people as we can to the academy, but it’s not as many as I’d hoped.” Grief swept over his face. “If Zephyr and others are headed to campus, you need to use your home-field advantage.”

He was right. We knew the woods around the school far better than any opposing army. We just needed to be smart.

Kai’s jaw worked. “Love you, Dad. Stay safe.”

King Torrent stared into the camera. “Never been prouder of you, son. Love you with all my heart.”

Silent tears slid from my eyes, tracking down my cheeks. I lifted up a prayer to keep all our loved ones safe.

Phoenix’s phone rang and he hurried to answer it as Kai and King Torrent hung up. “Dad?”

He was silent as he listened, phone pressed hard against his ear. But rage burned in his eyes. “I understand. Keep Mom safe.” His voice broke on the word mom and my heart along with it.

“Love you too. I’ll see you both soon.”

There was a forced optimism in Phoenix’s last sentence. As if he needed his father to feel his belief that they’d all be reunited again. He pressed end on the screen and his head slowly lifted. “Almost a thousand Zephyr soldiers are attacking the Ash borders.”

My body seized. All those innocent Ash lives at risk. Families that had to be terrified.

“I’m so sorry,” Riven croaked.

Phoenix shook his head. “No, Aura’s right. None of this is yours to take on.” Sparks flashed in his eyes. “But it’s time that we end this. It’s time we take back our world from greed and cruelty.”

A rightness settled in my chest.

“My father is sending a quarter of his troops to campus to help us,” Phoenix said. “They should be here in an hour.”

Footsteps echoed through the entryway and Sariah skidded to a stop in front of us. “They won’t get here soon enough. The Zephyr army. They’re here.”

44

ICE SLID THROUGH MY VEINS. “On campus?”

Sariah shook her head quickly. “Not quite. They didn’t come through the portal like we expected. They came on foot. They’re in the Mossy Wood.”

“Show us,” Riven demanded as he turned on his heel and started up the stairs.

I hurried to follow him, the others filing in behind me. I took the stairs two at a time, trying to keep up with Riven’s long legs. My muscles burned by the time we reached the top floor.

Riven stormed into our bedroom, making a beeline for the turret at the corner of Crown Hall. The place that had always been one of my favorites with a window seat and shelves of books. But the peace I typically experienced here was nowhere to be found today.

Instead, anxiety whipped through me in a steady beat. I moved closer to the window. As I squinted at the forest that spread out in front of us, terror gripped me. I hadn’t seen them at first. They were still at a distance. Looking more like tiny critters weaving through the trees than actual people.

It was the sheer number of them that had me thinking ants instead of army. Nausea swept through me. Too many to count.

How would we ever be able to fight them if I couldn’t even count them? My throat burned as it tightened, thinking about all of the innocent people on Kingwood’s campus. People who had stayed because they believed in the school’s mission. Because they believed in me.

They’d stuck by us as we’d thrown a wrench in how they’d always done things. They’d jumped in with two feet as we’d given them new training exercises and groups. And I’d signed their death warrants for it.

“Holy hell,” Atlas choked out.

Kai gaped at the sight in front of us. “This is bad.”

Quincy closed his eyes for a moment. I wasn’t sure if he was praying or simply centering himself, but the fact that he needed to do either only ratcheted up the tension in my body. When his eyes opened, there was a steely determination. “We need to decide our plan of attack.”

“We need to get Aura out of here,” Riven said.

My head snapped in his direction.

Atlas nodded. “We can send her to the safe house with Janine and Charlie. She’ll be secure there.”

“Do you think we’ll be safe enough getting her to the portal?” Kai asked.

“If we move now, we shouldn’t have a problem,” Riven said.

Atlas started for the closet. “I’ll pack her a bag.”

“Stop it!” I yelled.

Everyone froze.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Riven shook his head. “You’re too important. And you’re exactly what my father wants.”

“He wants you too. At least he wants me alive. You, he’d kill as soon as he laid eyes on you. So, are you coming with me?”

A muscle in his cheek fluttered like crazy. “I have to face him.”

“And so do I. He killed my parents. He hurt you too many times to count. Not to mention all the other innocent lives he’s taken. If you think I don’t have a score to settle, you’re wrong.”

Atlas moved in closer to me. “Settling a score isn’t worth putting your life at risk.”

My eyes flashed as I stared at him. “You think that’s all this is about?”

“I just think you need to be careful—”

“You think I would leave the people who gave me a chance? Who believed in what we all want to build our new world to be?” I pushed.

Images of the moments of harmony that we’d experienced over the past few days danced in my mind. The way I’d seen people from all walks of life working together. Helping each other. “I’d never abandon them,” I said on a hoarse whisper.

Atlas swallowed hard, looking away.

“She’s right.” Phoenix’s gaze swept through the room. “We don’t stand a chance without her. And I don’t just mean in battle today. If she runs and hides, the elemental people will never be behind her.”

“But she’ll be alive,” Riven growled.

Tears gathered in my eyes. “Do you honestly think I would survive losing all of you?”

My heart seized as the words slipped past my lips. The agony of having my bond taken from me would mean I would follow in a heartbeat. There was no question. I knew it to the depths of my soul.

Riven’s expression could only be described in one word. Ravaged. Because he knew it then too. Our only hope was a miracle. A miracle that would lead us into battle and out of it.

“I can’t lose you,” he gritted out.

I moved to Riven then, wrapping my arms around him and squeezing hard. “I can’t lose you either. So, we have to fight with everything we have. There’s no other option.”

Riven was silent for a moment, just holding me tightly and breathing me in. “I feel like my soul’s being ripped in two.”

I’d thought it was my own excruciating pain I was feeling, but maybe it was all of ours. Because we were all experiencing the agony of the knowledge that there was no easy answer for a clear path to safety. But our only choice was to try. To give everything we had and hope it was enough. Hope that the elements would be on our side.

I bent forward and pressed my lips to the spot on Riven’s chest where I knew his silver markings lay beneath his T-shirt. “Believe in the magic that lives in this bond. Believe that we were made for this. Believe in us.”

Riven’s body shuddered, but his lips ghosted over my hair. “I’ve never doubted the miracle you are for a single second.”

My throat tightened, but with one more squeeze, I forced myself to release Riven. I couldn’t meet the other guys’ eyes, too worried that what I would see there would make my own belief waver.

Instead, I turned to Sariah. “What about the students and staff that remain? Do you think they’ll fight with us?”

My stomach knotted as I waited for her answer.

A feral grin spread across Sariah’s face. “We’ve been waiting to decimate the assholes who have underestimated us our entire lives. Just tell us where to go.”

45

PUTTING MY HEAD DOWN, I strode into the closet. I hadn’t looked at one of the guys since Sariah had taken off to rally our troops. I couldn’t risk it. Not when there was so much at stake. I didn’t want to waver when I thought of losing them. I didn’t want to see fear in their eyes.

My fingers skimmed across an endless array of clothes, ninety-five percent of which I’d never worn. I scanned the rows of options, wondering what one wore to a battle. I snorted at the ridiculous thought.

Hands closed around my shoulders. “You losing it on me, Pip?”

I swallowed as Kai’s honeyed-whiskey voice swept over me. “Perfectly sane over here.”

“That’s why you’re snort-laughing in the closet when we’re about to fight for our lives?”

I stared at the wall of clothes. “Just wondering what one wears to a battle.”

Kai grinned against my hair. “I might be able to help when it comes to that.”

I turned in his arms, hope blooming there. “You got me something to fight in?”

He brushed a wayward wave out of my face. “I like to make sure you’re outfitted for anything that might come your way, battles or balls, it’s good to be prepared.”

A small laugh escaped me. “You just like any excuse to spoil me.”

“That too.” Kai bent, brushing his lips across mine. “Wait here.”

I did as instructed while he crossed to the back wall of the closet. He pushed aside the dozen ballgowns, exposing a small panel I’d never seen before. He pressed his hand to it and the sound of a mechanism unlocking filled the space.

I gasped as a door popped open. “You were hiding a whole secret room in here?”

Kai grinned. “It’s good to keep you on your toes.”

He motioned me forward, and I followed him into what appeared to be a smaller, secondary closet. But it was so much more than that. Awe swept through me as I looked around the room. Every inch of the place was covered floor-to-ceiling. One wall held an array of guns from long-range rifles to handguns. Another held bladed weapons and shields. The third, bows and arrows and tech gadgets. But the final wall held what almost looked like suits of armor.

Four of the suits were clearly made for the guys, but the fifth and final suit had a much slighter build, with curves that matched my own. I stepped forward, unable to keep myself from reaching out to touch it. My fingers ghosted over what I could see now was chain mail.

Kai’s heat flared at my back. “I had it especially made for you. It’s lightweight so that you won’t have to adjust to the feel of it. But it will protect you from the worst weaponry.”

My throat clogged. Kai had done this because he believed that whenever we did fight, we’d be fighting together. Side by side. This was him believing in me. In us.

“Thank you,” I croaked.

Kai dropped a kiss to the top of my head. “Let’s get you in it.”

Footsteps sounded behind us. “I can help.”

I looked up at the sound of Atlas’s voice, my chest tightening. There was so much emotion in those hazel eyes.

“Aura, just because I’m terrified of losing you doesn’t mean I don’t believe you can do anything.”

A tear escaped my eye, sliding down my cheek. Atlas swiped it away with his thumb. “You are the most amazing person I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.”

A small sob escaped me at that. “I love you more than I’ll ever be able to say.”

Atlas brushed his lips across mine. “Which is exactly how I feel. Now let’s get you in this suit.”

He and Kai moved in tandem, taking the suit off the mannequin and sliding it over the simple workout outfit I wore now. The material was just as light as Kai had promised. I would’ve thought the texture would’ve been rough against my skin, but it was smooth as silk.

The moment the armor was in place, there was a zip of power through my system. It wouldn’t protect me against elemental magic, but it was something. And it was a sign of how much my bond believed in me.

“It’s perfect.” Riven’s voice cut through the space, and I turned to meet his gaze. There was so much love there. Worry, yes. But faith, too.

“It makes me feel stronger.”

Kai smiled. “Good. It also makes you look hot as hell.”

Atlas smacked him upside the head.

The little flicker of normalcy eased something in me.

“I have one more thing for you,” Phoenix said as he entered the closet.

I waited as he crossed the small space, pulling something from his waistband.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d want this back, but it’s a symbol of everything you’ve made it through already.”

My brows pulled together as I looked down to what he held. I gasped. In his hands laid the blade that Kai had given me. His totem. I’d carried the sheath around my neck all this time, but it had laid empty. I thought the knife had gone over the cliff with Aiden.

“How?” I breathed.

Phoenix swallowed. “One of my guards found it in their sweep of the house you’d been kept in. Just lying on the kitchen table. They recognized it as one of Kai’s blades.”

The unique water symbol stamped into the hilt was a dead giveaway.

I reached out, fingers closing around the handle. A rightness washed over me as I lifted it from Phoenix’s palm. I slid the knife into its rightful place in the sheath around my neck. The chain it hung on still housed Phoenix’s medallion and the rings from Riven and Atlas. The markers of my men.

I would carry them with me no matter where I went. Around my neck and my very soul, in this life and the next. I just hoped we had more time, right here, right now…

46

WE MADE our way out to the quad, the same place we’d gathered the past couple of days to train. The place where I’d first felt us coming together. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I took in everyone gathered there. Each person wore some sort of armor and most carried at least one weapon. But others would rely solely on their elemental magic.

Headmaster Acker stepped forward. “Kingwood has always stood as neutral ground. A place where it’s safe to learn and grow. But today, there are those who would like to steal that safety from us. Who want to take some of our own. Because of greed and a thirst for power.”

The students and staff stood riveted. Expressions were varied. Some were furious, others fearful. But they all stood strong.

The headmaster’s gaze swept over everyone. “Today, we fight. Because if they get away with this, what’s to stop them from taking everything?”

“We fight!” the crowd cheered.

“We take them in the woods because we know it better than they ever will. Use that to your advantage.”

Everyone nodded.

“Fall out!” he called.

Students and staff grouped together, often in some of the groups I’d seen in training. They spoke in harried voices, making plans to work together to take on the Zephyr army. As terrified as I was for every single one of them, a warmth spread through me still. This was how it should be. Seeing each other’s uniqueness and abilities. Our strength came in unity, not vicious competition.

A hand tapped my shoulder and I turned.

Xena stood there in full battle gear. I couldn’t quite read her expression. She swallowed as her feet shuffled. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to go into this without saying that. I let myself get swept away with the idea of being one of the best, of having clout, and the right relationships. It took me to a dark place.”

I stared at the girl who had helped to make my life hell during my first weeks at Kingwood. “I won’t lie, you can be a real bitch.”

A laugh startled out of Xena. “I definitely can be.”

“But it takes balls to call yourself on it.” I reached out a hand. “How about we start over?”

Xena pressed her palm against mine in a shake. “I’d like that.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Watch out for aerial attacks from the Zephyr soldiers. My dad said they’ve been using those tactics a lot more.”

I jerked my head in a nod. “Thanks. I will. You got a group watching your back?”

“Yeah, I’m with Aaron and our group from yesterday. He can’t wait to use his super speed.”

I looked over our gathered forces. I wanted to give everyone a boost, an extra gift, something. But there wasn’t time. We were already moving out. So, I glanced at Xena one more time. “See you on the other side.”

“On the other side,” she echoed.

The guys surrounded me on either side as we headed into the forest, but my name on the air had me stopping short. Red curls caught the light as Kerry ran towards us. Phoenix was in front of me in a flash.

Kerry skidded to a halt. “I’m not gonna hurt her. I swear. The guards let me out. They said I could fight.”

“Are they insane?” Riven bit out.

I held up a hand to stop any tirade. “They couldn’t leave her in the dungeon.” Not with the school under attack. It would’ve been barbaric.

“I want to help,” she said quietly. Kerry wore no armor, held no weapon, and had only a trickle of elemental magic. But she was here. She was ready to help.

Kai stepped forward, pulling a gun from a holster at his waist. He stared her dead in the eyes. “Second chances are rarely given. Don’t waste this one.”

Her fingers curled around the handle of the weapon. “I won’t.”

“It’s an energy weapon. It’ll blow a hole in someone’s chest, so be careful.”

She nodded. “My dad taught me how to use one.”

“Good,” he clipped.

Kerry turned to me. “Sariah said I could fight with her and Eva’s group.”

My throat tightened. “That’s good. Stay safe, Kerry.”

“I will. Yell if you need me.”

Tears glistened in my eyes. “I will.” God, I wanted my friend back. I wanted this one thing to be healed after all the hardship we’d faced.

Kerry took off in Sariah’s direction. The healer met my gaze across the forest. She dipped her head in a nod and I sent a million silent gratitudes to her. I swore she could hear them.

“I hope that wasn’t a terrible idea,” Phoenix muttered.

“It wasn’t,” Atlas said. “People learn. And she’s had the hardest lesson. We have to give her a chance to atone. This is how she can do that.”

I stretched on my toes to kiss him. “Love you.”

“More than I’ll ever be able to explain,” he whispered against my lips.

“They’re here!” a guy yelled. “Draw your weapons!”

Fear spiked deep, but I swallowed it down. I looked to my bond, meeting each of their eyes and letting my love bleed into them. Traces of silver traveled through the air, swirling around them, binding us in a way I knew could only be broken by one thing.

Death.

I just prayed that death wouldn’t find us today.

47

SCREAMS RENT THE AIR, each one digging deep into my heart. We were fighting with everything we had, but we were losing.

An air soldier launched a fireball in my direction and I deflected it with a burst of air, sending it back at him and engulfing him in flames. His screams didn’t last long, and it was a small mercy because if I did survive, I’d never be able to get the sounds of death out of my head.

Kai was locked in hand-to-hand combat with a Terra extremist. The extremist sent an especially vicious blow to Kai’s cheek. He started to lose his balance, but I sent a wave of air in his direction, righting him. In one smooth move, he pulled a blade from his hip and swiped it across the Terra man’s throat.

That death was a nearly silent one, but the image would haunt me forever.

“On your right,” Atlas yelled.

I whirled just in time to see a Zephyr soldier aim an arrow at me. She pulled the bow back, but I shoved hard at my earth magic, upending her. She fell on her back, the arrow shooting straight into the sky. It spun in the air and then hurtled back to earth, implanting itself in her chest.

Her scream split the air, but it soon turned to a wheeze, and she was gone too.

So much death. And for what? One selfish man’s obsession.

I still had not seen a single sign of King Zephyr, but I had some sixth sense that he was near, hiding behind his army so that he would be ready when they cleared the way.

A grunt sounded from my left as Riven shoved hard on his air affinity. Sweat dotted his brow as his hand tightened into a fist. Two Zephyr soldiers dropped to the ground in front of us, no longer breathing.

“Use your weapons,” Kai barked. “We’re running out of elemental juice. I can feel it.”

I could too. The drain was forcing us to push harder. And we could only sustain that for so long.

I tugged the energy gun from my waistband. Atlas had given me a quick tutorial. It was the easiest of all the weapons to use, but I still needed decent aim, and that wasn’t something I was sure I had. But I needed to try. With time, my magic stores could rebound. I just had to stay alive long enough for that to happen.

An ice spear whizzed by my head and Riven cursed. “Northwest. Two attackers.”

I turned in that direction, catching sight of the two Zephyr soldiers slinking through the underbrush. I aimed my gun and pulled the trigger. It wasn’t a chest or head hit, it was decidedly lower. The man howled an unearthly sound. His compatriot tried to help him, but it was too late. Kai leveled his own weapon on the second man, taking him out with a bullet to the brain.

I tried to get a sense of our other groups. I knew we had lost people, but I wasn’t sure how many or who. I couldn’t let myself go there. Not if I was going to keep fighting.

Sariah, Eva, and Kerry worked in tandem, taking down one of the few Terra soldiers. Sariah kicked the man’s legs out from under him, Eva’s fist connected with his jaw, and Kerry used her energy gun to finish him. Then they were on to the next.

A man snuck out from behind a tree and attacked Sariah from behind. I screamed, but it was too late. She just dodged the swipe of his knife, but he was poised for another, and it would be a death blow.

A bird dove from the air and like a heat-seeking missile, it aimed straight for the man’s eye. He screamed and writhed in pain, but two more birds attacked, pecking at every spot on his head they could reach. In a matter of seconds, the man’s body went still, and the birds took flight.

Wren grinned at Sariah. “I got your back.”

Sariah shakily got to her feet. “Thanks, girl.”

“Phoenix!” Kerry shouted. “Behind you!”

We all whirled as a figure dropped from the trees, a fireball at his fingertips. It was already sailing through the air, right for Phoenix.

My mate quickly dodged the blow, but another ball of flames followed as Zephyr soldiers poured from the trees. The figure attacking Phoenix pulled back his hood and I gasped.

“Miss me, brother dearest?” The wound I’d given Aiden had created a twisted and gnarled scar that pulled on the flesh of his face.

Phoenix shot fire from his palm in his brother’s direction. “You just don’t know when to die, do you?”

Rage bloomed in Aiden’s eyes. “Only long after I kill you.”

A blow struck my shoulder and I whirled just in time to block the attempt to grab me. The Zephyr soldier was twice my size and he glowered down at me. “Come with me, and I won’t hurt you.”

I just snorted. “Thanks, but no thanks.”

I brought my knee up in a swift move, aiming for the family jewels but missing by a fraction. The soldier’s hand whipped out, striking across my face. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth and I charged, knocking the massive man over, but he took me with him.

“The king wants you and he always gets what he wants.” The soldier’s hand fisted in my hair as Riven and Atlas battled through half a dozen soldiers to try to get to me.

My elbow yanked back. I connected with the soldier in a satisfying crunch. He wailed like a baby. It was enough of a distraction to pull off a shot. The energy gun, ending the man’s life.

I scrambled to my feet just in time to see two soldiers jump Phoenix from behind. They pinned his arms as Aiden lifted a gun.

“No!”

But it was too late, there was a crack and the bullet hurtled towards Phoenix.

48

I THRUST MY HANDS OUT, sending a wave of air at the bullet. But my magic was weak. It barely sent the bullet off course. And I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop a second one.

The rest of the guys were pinned down, taking on at least three soldiers each. There was no one to help.

A flash of red caught my eye as Kerry ran. “Aiden!” she screamed.

He grinned at her. “Help end them. End them all.”

Her steps faltered, then stopped altogether. “Don’t, Aiden.”

Fury flashed in his expression. “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for their pretty lies.”

“We can run. Go someplace they’ll never find us. You don’t have to hurt them.”

He scoffed at her. “I’m not going to cower, not because of the likes of them.”

His gun raised, ready to strike. Tears streamed down Kerry’s face, and everything slowed. She lifted her energy gun and pulled the trigger.

Shock bloomed on Aiden’s face and then he was falling, a gaping hole smoking in his chest.

Phoenix blasted the guards who held him, sending them both into flames as they screamed. He moved to Kerry, gently taking the weapon from her shaking hands. She swallowed hard, tears in her eyes, but she shook her head. “No, I can fight.”

He stared at her. “I’ll owe you for the rest of my life.”

“No, you don’t. I’m just trying to do the right thing, finally.”

Even if that broke her heart into a million pieces.

Atlas’s groan had my head snapping in his direction. A soldier had sliced through his chain mail and had given him a deep gash across his chest. I rushed forward. I couldn’t use the energy gun when so many people were fighting in such close proximity, but I would use everything else at my disposal.

I yanked the knife from the sheath around my neck and plunged it into the soldier’s back before he could get in another blow on Atlas. He howled in pain as he fell to the earth and Atlas snapped his neck. I pulled the blade free, wiping the blood on the man’s tunic.

There were too many Zephyr soldiers. The sheer size of their army nearly ten times the size of ours. Tears burned my eyes. I had no idea how we’d make it.

“Ready to surrender?” King Zephyr’s voice boomed through the forest. Fighting stilled as he strode forward, surrounded by guards.

Fury lit in my veins. Everything in me cried out for vengeance. For justice.

“Uh, uh, uh,” the king said as if sensing my thoughts. “You make one move against me, and I’ll give the command to wipe out every last Academy elemental.”

My back teeth ground together.

“What do you want, Father? Whatever your plan is, it won’t work,” Riven called, his chest heaving. He was covered in bruises and cuts, exhausted.

“That’s where you’re wrong. You’ve never had what it takes to rule. Too much of a weak heart in that chest of yours.”

My hands tightened into fists at my sides. Riven’s heart was what would make him the best ruler Zephyr had ever seen.

The king sneered at his son. “When your bond is decimated, Aura’s soul will be crying out for her mates, and I’ll be only too happy to fill the shoes you couldn’t.”

Bile surged in my throat. He thought I would bond with him? Tie my soul to his? “That isn’t even possible,” I spluttered.

His mouth curved in a feral smile. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’ll just have to weaken you first. Just shy of the point of death. Your soul will have no choice.”

“The elements will never stand for it,” Phoenix hissed.

Kai and Atlas pushed in front of me, standing between me and Zephyr.

King Zephyr laughed, the sound ugly and twisted. “Haven’t you learned yet? You don’t bow to the elements; they bow to you. That’s why none of you have been able to defeat me. You don’t have what it takes.”

Hundreds of Zephyr soldiers filled the forest around us, more than we’d ever seen looking out the turret window. Tears streamed down my face. There was nothing we could do. It was too much. No matter the heart in our own troops. I had no choice but to do what a true leader would.

I pushed through Atlas and Kai. “And if I go with you willingly? Will you leave everyone else?” I wouldn’t give him the bond, but he’d have my power under his control. He’d have me.

The guys cursed. But Riven whirled, charging to me and taking my face in his hand. “No, Aura. You do that and none of us will survive.”

My tears came faster. “There’s no other option. Nothing we can do. I have to hope I can save you all.”

He pressed his mouth to mine. “Aura, you’ve been underestimated your whole life, even by me. But I was wrong. You can do anything. We all can. Together.”

The blade in my hand heated as a wind around us lifted. It carried with it a feminine voice I’d never heard before. Trust yourself, my beautiful Aura. Trust your gifts.

A bone-deep knowledge filled me. Mom? I wasn’t sure how I knew it was her, but I did.

I’ve watched over you every day. What a joy to see you finally come into who you were always meant to be. Fight. For yourself. For your men. For your people.

How? I croaked.

I’m giving you all the power that laid dormant in me. Feel it now running through your blade?

I nodded, knowing that she was in the very breeze swirling around us now.

Plunge it into the earth. Now!

I held Riven’s gaze for a moment, confusion in his eyes. Then I dropped to my knees. Driving my knife into the forest floor. A wave of power surged through the air. The moment it hit each of the members of our troops, they glowed with an unearthly silver sheen.

My breath caught as my mother’s voice echoed through all of our heads. Fight, the aethers are with you.

No one needed another command. Elemental magic like I’d never seen before carried through our people, every single one of them wielding not just one elemental but all four.

“Nooooooo!” King Zephyr bellowed, as soldier after soldier fell. It was as if he knew before any of us that the tides had turned.

His rage-filled gaze snapped to his son, and he thrust out his hands. A massive fireball launched at Riven. I didn’t think, I simply moved, diving in front of Riven. I tried to call up a water shield but was too late.

The flames tore into me as my mates cried out. The pain stole all my awareness of anything else around me. There was only agony and fire as it took me to the ground.

But Phoenix’s voice echoed in my head. “If you let it consume you, then you become the fire.”

He had said the only way he had survived was to let the fire swallow him whole. So that was exactly what I did.

49

THE FIRE COMPLETELY CONSUMED ME, but it was more. It was as if the fire and I danced and twirled, becoming one. And I wasn’t afraid. For the first time since I’d been trapped in that inferno all those years ago, I was at peace with every flicker and flame.

I swam inside the blaze, completely giving myself over to its burn. I lost track of any sense of time and place. There was just the fire and me.

Then at some point, the landscape changed. The flames gave way to a soothing pool. Like the one at Kai’s special spot. I floated in that pool of nothingness until something pulled at me.

It was a knowing of sorts. That there was somewhere I needed to be. An invisible ticking clock.

Then the sensations came. Fingers woven with mine. Lips pressed to my forehead. A hand brushing away my hair. Circles traced on my thigh.

I wanted more of that array of feeling. More of whatever was on the other side of those touches.

My eyelids fluttered as I tried to get closer.

“She’s waking up,” Phoenix said.

Hands pressed to my cheeks. “Aura, are you with us?”

I let out an unintelligible sound.

“Come on, Pip. Let me see those beautiful gray eyes,” Kai said.

“Please.”

It was the desperation in Atlas’s tone that got me all the way there. My eyes opened to a soft light streaming in through the window and the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen. My royals. The mates of my soul.

Tears filled my eyes. “You’re okay.”

Atlas squeezed my leg. “We’re fine. How do you feel? Are you hurting?”

“Here, have a sip of water,” Kai said, positioning a straw at my lips.

I took a tiny drink as I took in the space around me. Our room. If Crown Hall was still standing, then things couldn’t have been that bad.

“Everyone else?” I croaked.

Riven’s expression hardened. “We lost twenty people.”

My heart lurched. “Oh, God.” I was too scared to ask about my friends.

“Kerry, Eva, and Sariah are fine. Quincy and the headmaster too. But we lost Wren,” Phoenix said.

A choked sob escaped my throat. She’d been so excited to feel a part of things.

“She died saving Quincy’s life,” Kai explained. “A hero.”

“The Zephyr army?” I asked.

Phoenix grinned. “Obliterated. Whatever magic you pulled out of your back pocket, it allowed everyone extraordinary abilities. But the moment the army was defeated, it all faded.”

“It wasn’t me,” I whispered.

They all looked at me with confused expressions.

“It was my mom. She, or her spirit, spoke to me. Told me what to do.”

Atlas scrubbed a hand over his stubbled cheek. “We all heard the voice, we just thought it was you commanding it.”

“I don’t know how it was possible but…”

A smile curved Kai’s mouth. “Elemental magic is a powerful thing. It wouldn’t like being manipulated by King Zephyr.”

A chill skated over my skin at his name. “Is he…?”

“Dead,” Phoenix said.

My gaze snapped to those glacier eyes. “I’m sorry, Riven.”

Riven shook his head. “I should’ve done it years ago.”

“I’m still sorry. He was still your father.”

Riven studied me, his eyes searching my face. “Why did you step in front of me?”

I linked my hand with his. “I love you. I couldn’t let him take you from me.”

“Aura, you could’ve died.”

“Says the person who stepped in front of fire for me not that long ago. I guess we’re even now.”

Atlas pinched the bridge of his nose. “How about no one gets any fire thrown at them for the foreseeable future?”

King Zephyr’s twisted face flashed in my mind. “Who killed him? King Zephyr, I mean.”

The room went quiet.

“What?” I pressed.

Phoenix sat up straighter. “Do you remember anything after the fire hit you?”

I swallowed, the fear I’d felt in the moment flashing through me. “At first, it was just pain.”

A series of growls lifted around me.

“But then, I remembered something you said.”

Phoenix stared at me. “Something I said?”

I nodded. “That when you were attacked, you had to let the fire consume you. So, I did. I believed I could become one with it. And I did.”

The guys stared at me in wonder.

Kai clapped Phoenix on the back. “The worst moment of your life just saved Aura’s.”

Phoenix’s eyes burned into mine. “I’m so sorry you went through that.”

“I wasn’t scared for long. Because I knew you were with me. I heard your voice.”

His onyx eyes glistened. “I’m glad I was with you.”

I looked around at all of them. “But that doesn’t answer my question. Who killed King Zephyr?”

“You did,” Atlas said softly. “The fire was everywhere. You were fully engulfed. And then it was as if you took it into yourself. Swallowed it whole. A moment later, it exploded out of you and took out Zephyr.”

I blinked a few times. “Oh, God.” My gaze jerked to Riven. “I’m so sorry, I—”

He squeezed the back of my neck. “Don’t you dare. If I hadn’t been so terrified, I would’ve been damn proud.”

My eyes burned. “I wasn’t going to let him hurt you.”

Riven leaned over me, pressing his forehead to mine. “I love you, Aura. I’ve loved you from the moment I held you in my arms, taking you out of that burning building. I loved you every time I erased the moments I stole with you. I loved you when you showed up at that Revealing even though I wanted you to be anywhere but there. But the love I feel for you now? It consumes me.”

Fresh tears spilled over now. “I’ve loved you all before I even knew you existed, little pieces of my soul living outside my body. You’ve given me a sense of belonging I never thought I’d find.”

EPILOGUE

THREE AND A HALF YEARS LATER

I SHRIEKED as Kai pulled me into the massive shower. He just swatted my butt. “Gotta get you clean, Pip. Big day around here.”

As I stepped under the spray, Riven’s arms instantly found me. He hauled me against himself as Phoenix took my mouth in a long, deep kiss.

I melted into him, seeking more of his heat and fire.

I was tugged from Phoenix’s lips and met with Atlas’s strong mouth, drinking me in. When I finally broke away, it was on a gasp.

“We have to hurry or we’re going to be late,” I groaned.

Kai reached for the bodywash. “I’ve got your back. Have a little self-control, guys.”

They all snorted. We were all pretty bad, but Kai had the least self-control of all of us. He was always stealing me away to the place in the woods that had once been his but was now ours, or trying to convince me to skip class to escape back to the dorm for a quickie.

It wasn’t like Kai didn’t have anything to do. All of the guys had stayed on as teaching assistants at Kingwood while I finished my studies. But Kai would come up with any excuse to get his hands on me. Just like now.

His palms ghosted over my breasts, and I fought a moan.

Coronation, coronation, coronation.

I said the words over and over to force myself away from Kai’s roaming fingers.

“Nope. Not being late for this. And Janine and Jewel are both downstairs,” I hissed.

“Aw, come on, Pip. They won’t hear you scream my name.”

“Or my name,” Atlas cut in.

“Or mine,” Riven added.

Phoenix waggled his eyebrows. “They’ll definitely hear you scream mine.”

“You’re all incorrigible—”

My words were cut off with Phoenix’s mouth, and we were definitely late getting out of that shower.

MY HANDS SKIMMED over the dress, trembling a fraction as they did so. The gown was breathtaking. A nod to the elements in a way. It was covered with intricate lace flowers that almost looked like flames themselves.

Fire and I had found peace with each other. I even liked to exercise my fire magic these days and hadn’t had a nightmare about it in years. My affinities were in balance finally and I had no problem letting any of them fly.

And I’d need them all for whatever lay ahead. But what I hoped was that it would be a time of peace and prosperity for us all. Of community and family, the greatest riches of all.

And they had put their trust in me. The battle at Kingwood and the attacks on the Torrent and Ash kingdoms had been a wake-up call for our people. The vast majority craved peace and harmony. Zephyr had welcomed Riven as their king and flourished under his fair leadership. Much the same had been true of Terra and Atlas. He had a gentleness that his kingdom had desperately needed to heal.

Whispers of how I had protected my people in the battle had spread far and wide. Some were in awe and others were a bit fearful. But I had found a respect that I never thought would be possible. We still dealt with the occasional attempt from The Network, but their numbers had been greatly diminished over the past several years and it was a huge relief. Now, I just hoped that I would be able to use the gifts the elements had bestowed on me to help the people in our kingdoms who needed it most.

A knock sounded on the door of the bathroom.

“Come in.”

My grandmother, Jewel, poked her head in. “It’s me and Janine. Can we—”

She cut herself off with a gasp, her eyes filling with tears. “Oh, Aura. You’re magnificent.”

Janine hurried in behind her, needing to see. Her eyes instantly filled too. “A true queen.”

My throat clogged. “Don’t you two make me cry. I just spent all this time on my blasted makeup.”

Jewel chuckled. “Okay, no tears. But we do have something for you.”

I looked at both of them, curiosity in my gaze.

Janine held out a pendant. “We had this made for you, thinking it could hang on your necklace.”

Even in my fancy gown, I was never without the totems I had from my bond. I pressed my hand to my chest, feeling it there beneath the fabric.

“We wanted you to have something from both sides of your family,” Janine explained.

Jewel pointed to the swirling metal, silver and gold, that held a beautiful diamond in the middle. “We made it from your parents’ wedding rings.”

A stab of beautiful pain lanced through me. Pain of missing them. Beauty at the fact that I’d always carry them with me. My hand shook as I reached out to run my fingers over it. “It’s the most precious gift I’ve ever received.”

“You like it?” Janine asked hopefully.

I pulled them both into a hug. “I love it and both of you so much.”

When I released them both, I slid the charm onto my necklace and let it hang over my dress. I wasn’t going to hide what were my most precious items from the world.

“We should go, or you’re going to be late,” Janine said.

Jewel waved her off. “She’s about to be queen. They have to wait.”

We all laughed at that, but I shook my head. “Not how I want to start out my reign.”

“Good point, dear. Let’s blow this popsicle stand.”

We hurried out of the bathroom, through the bedroom, and down the stairs. Laughter filtered up from the floors below.

“I’m telling you, I think I’ve got some fire magic buried deep,” Charlie said.

“If anyone did, it would be you, kid,” Phoenix replied.

As I reached the bottom step, my mates and brother turned.

“Aura,” Charlie breathed. “You really look like the freaking queen.”

It was everything I needed, and I burst into laughter. “I hope so because it’s about to happen.”

“Holy hell, girl. No wonder you got yourself a hottie harem.”

I whirled at the sound of Lainey’s voice. “Lainey Loo?”

She flew at me, pulling me into a hard hug. “Your guys pulled some strings and got me in. Couldn’t be missing my girl’s big day. Plus, you’ve got some serious eye candy here.”

She sent a smoldering look in Egan’s direction where he stood guard. His cheeks colored as he fought a smile.

“It’s perfect,” I whispered. “Everyone I love most in the world.”

“That better include us, bitch,” Xena said as she strode through the front door, her arms linked with Kerry’s and Eva’s.

The three had become thick as thieves and I’d somehow been roped into their huddle. Kerry had been pardoned for her assistance in Aiden’s kidnapping, thanks to her heroics in the battle. While Xena would always be a bit of a bitch, she was one we loved, and her heart and priorities were now firmly in the right place. And Eva’s take-no-shit attitude kept them both in line.

“Who else is going to keep the jealous socialites in line?” I said, eyes dancing.

Xena and Eva had taken down any girl brave enough to make a move on my mates and the guys loved it.

“Can you work in a boob punch this time?” Phoenix asked.

“Naw, I’m partial to when Xena blasts them with water,” Kai said with a laugh.

Kerry shook her head. “I like it when one of them just whispers Aura’s name like you’re going to appear out of thin air. Scares the life out of them.”

Eva burst into laughter. “One chick peed herself.”

Atlas’s arms wrapped around me from behind. “They’ll learn. Aura has owned us all from the moment we met.”

Riven pressed a kiss to my temple. “And even before.”

“Am I late?” Quincy huffed as he bustled in.

“You’re just in time. Everything is perfect now.”

His expression softened. “You’re beautiful.”

Tears gathered again. “Thank you. I was actually wondering if you would be the one to walk me to the throne?”

It was typically an honor given to the queen’s father, and Quincy had filled that role in every way over the past four years. There was no one else I could imagine doing it.

He swallowed thickly. “Aura…nothing would give me greater honor.”

“Thank you,” I breathed.

Kai let out a whistle. “Before all of us start crying like a baby, could you give us a minute with our girl? We’ll meet you outside.”

Everyone nodded, heading outside. Egan waited for a moment, not wanting to leave us unprotected.

“We’ll be okay,” I assured him.

As soon as the door closed behind him, I breathed a little deeper. It was just me and the other pieces of my soul.

They circled around me, pressing in.

Atlas’s lips skimmed my bare shoulder. “So proud of you.”

Riven’s mouth ghosted over my neck. “Or more honored to stand beside someone.”

Kai kissed me so tenderly it made an ache take flight in my chest. “We love you.”

“The life you’ve given us is one of dreams,” Phoenix whispered against my skin. “Marry us?”

The tears did come then, and I didn’t give a damn about ruining my makeup. “Yes. A million times, yes.”

Riven slid a ring onto my finger. I gasped at its beauty. The center stone was a massive diamond, but it was set in stones that reminded me instantly of my guys. A ruby for Phoenix. An aquamarine for Kai. An emerald for Atlas. And a topaz for Riven. It was them. Surrounding me. Always.

“You’ve given me everything, the courage to fight for the life of my dreams,” I whispered hoarsely.

“And we always will.”

Thank you so much for reading The Queen of Quintessence! If you want more from Aura and her mates you can download a special bonus scene HERE.

Want more paranormal reverse harem from Tessa Hale?

Legacy of Shadows, book one in the Supernaturals of Castle Academy series is available for purchase HERE.

And turn the page for a special preview.

PLEASE ENJOY THIS SPECIAL PREVIEW OF LEGACY OF SHADOWS

PROLOGUE

EIGHT YEARS EARLIER, AGE NINE

BLACK. So much black it made me feel like I couldn’t breathe. As if each piece of it was strangling me.

Pressure built behind my eyes as people milled around the gravesite. They would shake their heads or mutter things like “such a waste” or “poor Leighton.” The only one who didn’t seem affected by it all was the woman standing next to me, a blank mask on her face.

It was wrong. All of it so wrong I wanted to scream.

Dad would’ve hated everything about today. The black. The formality. The fakeness.

He should’ve been here. If this were any other funeral, he would’ve bent my head to make a joke about the woman’s hat that looked as if a bird was perched on her head, ready to take flight. But he wasn’t here. And he never would be again.

My throat closed in, a burn lighting at my effort to keep the tears at bay. I didn’t want to cry in front of all these people. Didn’t want to lose it in front of my mother.

The one time I had, after cancer stole my dad from me, she’d snapped at me. “Stop it right now. I can’t deal with your hysterics.”

I’d shut up right then. I’d spent the last ten days escaping to the woods behind our house. Finding what refuge I could in the trees and creeks. Remembering how my dad had taught me about the different plants and how to make a fire with only two sticks and some dried grass.

But that refuge wasn’t enough. I felt the emotion building. That swirling feeling deep in my gut, the pressure increasing with each pass.

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from screaming. I wanted to let loose all that ugliness eating away at my insides.

A minister clad in black stepped toward the casket.

I’d tried to avoid looking at it since we’d arrived. Dad hadn’t wanted a casket. He’d wanted to be cremated and spread out in nature. But, of course, my mom hadn’t listened to that, either. Instead, there was a dark wood, gleaming monstrosity that my father would be buried in.

As the minister moved closer, I had no choice but to look at the jail cell my father would be enclosed in for all eternity. The moment my eyes locked on it, the panic set in, sweeping through me and digging in deep.

My breaths came quicker, short pants that barely found purchase in my lungs. Each one hurt, as if the air were made of tiny barbs that shredded my insides. I couldn’t do this. Couldn’t watch them lower my father into the earth.

A hand wrapped around mine, squeezing, and I jerked at the familiar buzz that lit in my palm. That buzz had only ever come from one person. My gaze snapped to the side.

The tears almost came then.

Colt. The boy who I’d spent every summer with from before I could walk. The son of my father’s best friend. He was my true refuge. He always had been. Even when we were apart all school year, the memories of our wild summers would hold me over.

“What are you doing here?” my mother snapped.

Colt’s father, Andrew Carrington, turned hard eyes on my mother. “I’m here to say goodbye to my best friend. It would’ve been nice if we’d been informed of the arrangements.”

My head jerked in my mother’s direction. She’d told me that they were too busy and didn’t want to come.

Mom’s cheeks heated. “I told you how you could help. You weren’t interested.”

A muscle in Andrew’s cheek ticked. “Not here, Maryanne.”

“Of course not,” she huffed.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the minister began. “We are gathered here today to honor the amazing life of Douglas Carmichael.”

The panic flared fresh, and I couldn’t get any air into my lungs at all. My chest burned as black spots danced in front of my vision.

“LeeLee?” Colt whispered, concern in his voice.

“I-I can’t,” I squeaked.

He gripped my hand harder. “Come on.”

Then he was leading me through the crowd, people whispering around us. But he didn’t stop. He tugged me through the cemetery and into the forest behind it. He only slowed when we were completely encased in trees.

Colt guided me toward a log, sitting me down and crouching in front of me. His hands went to my cheeks. “Breathe, LeeLee. Just like I’m breathing.”

I tried to follow the exaggerated rise and fall of his chest, but it was no good. I couldn’t get my lungs to obey. The tears came then, hot and vicious, each one scalding my skin.

Colt said a bad word and then threw his arms around me, holding me close. His arms tightened as I cried harder. “LeeLee. I’m right here. I’ve got you.”

That only turned my cries into full on sobbing. I’d been holding all of it in these past ten days. So tight it was nearly killing me. Now that I’d broken that seal, I wasn’t sure my tears would ever stop.

“I’m so sorry.” Colt kept whispering into my ear as he held me. Reassurances and nonsensical mutterings, but they all soothed. Just knowing I wasn’t alone helped.

Slowly, my sobs subsided, and I slumped against him, exhausted. “I’m scared,” I whispered.

Colt pulled back, taking my hands as he studied my face. “Your mom?”

He knew me so well.

“I don’t want to be alone with her.” We’d never been close, but she’d gotten worse as my father’s health had declined. Gotten crueler the more she had to deal with me.

Colt’s face went stormy. “You need to come live with me and Dad.”

A little bit of hope flared in my chest. “Do you think she’d let me?”

“Maybe. We can at least ask. I know Dad would love to have you.”

Colt glanced over his shoulder toward the cemetery. “We should go back before we get in worse trouble.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. My mom wouldn’t be happy about my stunt.

He helped me to my feet, keeping hold of my hand, and we started out of the woods.

It was the raised voices on the edge of the forest that caught my attention first.

“You don’t give a crap about us. You think I don’t know that? Leighton isn’t what you think, and the moment you realize that, you’ll dump her because she’s useless to you,” my mom snapped.

I frowned at Colt. But he looked furious.

“She needs to be protected,” Andrew argued.

Mom scoffed. “And you’re going to do that, how? I won’t let her get messed up in your world.”

“Maryanne…”

Colt and I broke out of the tree line, and both their gazes snapped to us.

My mom charged over to me, grabbing my arm and yanking me hard. “We’re leaving.”

I glanced at Colt in panic.

He kept hold of my other hand. “Dad, can’t she come live with us? She wants to.”

My mom laughed, but it was an ugly and twisted sound. “You think I’d let her go with you? She’s my daughter. You’ll stay away from her.”

That panic dug in deep, tearing up my insides all over again.

“Maryanne, please,” Andrew said quietly. “Don’t do this.”

“Stay away from us, or you know what I’ll do…”

She pulled me harder, dragging me toward the parking lot.

My tears came in a fresh wave, my vision blurring.

Colt yelled out for me, but his father held him back.

I tried to fight my mom’s hold, but it was too strong.

“Colt!” I cried.

“Shut up,” she snapped, shaking my arm. “I won’t have you embarrass me any further. You’ll behave, or you’ll pay the price.”

I snapped my mouth closed, but I couldn’t stop the tears.

My mom shoved me into the back seat of her car, and I pressed my face to the back window, trying to keep my eyes on Colt. If I could still see him, everything would be okay. But it was only a matter of seconds until he disappeared altogether…

1

PRESENT DAY, AGE SEVENTEEN

“ORDER UP,” Sal called.

I pushed off the counter and instantly regretted the swift movement. The bruised muscles on my side and back radiated with pain, and I sucked in a sharp breath.

Betsy looked up from where she was rolling silverware, her eyes narrowing. “Everything okay?”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep my expression neutral and nodded. “Tweaked my back when I picked up my backpack earlier today.”

She didn’t say anything at first, simply staring at me. But her eyes told me that she knew I was lying. “You need to take the day off?”

“No.” The single word came too quickly, but it couldn’t be helped. That panic settled into my bones. I needed every shift I could get if I had a prayer of freedom once I hit eighteen.

I squeezed my eyes closed for a moment, picturing that freedom. The images I conjured up got me through my darkest times. Those, and my memories of Colt. Even just speaking his name in my mind made pain flare to life in my chest.

His absence was just as raw now as it had been eight years ago. No, it was worse. As if time had intensified that burn of his loss.

I swallowed it all down and opened my eyes to reality. The diner that smelled of greasy food. The sweat that had gathered on the back of my neck from barely stopping for the past few hours. The pain that swirled through my torso.

I forced my feet to move toward the server window. Sal met my gaze through the opening. “On the left, girl.”

He’d called me “girl” since my first day here, over three years ago. As though if he didn’t use my name, he wouldn’t have to put the energy into caring about me.

“Thanks, Sal.” I always used his name. As if I were fighting back with each single syllable.

He grunted, shoving the plates closer to me.

I took the burger and the patty melt, the weight making those muscles along my back protest, and I started toward table three.

Two girls from my class chattered back and forth as they waited for their food. As I walked toward them, I caught snippets of the conversation. They were dissecting the actions of a boy. What his texts really meant and the tone of his “hey” at school that day.

The easy conversation made my chest feel hollow. As if there were an emptiness in me that would never fill. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if wondering whether a boy liked me was my greatest worry.

I slid the two plates onto the table, keeping my eyes downcast. “Cheeseburger and patty melt. Can I get you anything else?”

One girl kept her focus on her phone with a muttered, “Thanks.”

The other glanced up, but it was as if she looked through me, not truly seeing.

I was used to it. That was what happened when you were invisible. But that was by design. If no one saw me, they wouldn’t ask questions.

“Can I get another diet?”

I nodded, grabbing her glass and turning back toward the counter and kitchen. But as I did, a glimpse of someone walking by stilled my steps. My heart gave a heavy thud against my ribs, and I blinked rapidly.

It was that telltale blend of brown, blond, and red in the guy’s hair, so much like Colt’s. Pressure built behind my eyes. I missed him so badly it was as if I were conjuring him up everywhere I looked.

I made myself keep moving, to turn away from the window. I moved behind the counter and filled the girl’s glass with Diet Coke. I thought her name was Corinne, but I wasn’t sure. I tried not to know details about my classmates. It made it that much harder that I was so set apart.

“Got someone at table five,” Betsy said as she refilled ketchup bottles.

“Thanks.” I rounded the counter and dropped the soda off at the table of girls. They didn’t even look up this time, my invisibility in full effect.

I kept moving past table four with the happy family, checking to make sure they still had plenty of drink left in their glasses, and came to a stop in front of table five. I slid my order pad out of my back pocket and focused on the lined sheet. It was easier if I didn’t keep eye contact. “Welcome to Down Home. What can I get you today?”

“What’s good here?”

The male voice froze me to the spot, sending a faint shiver over my skin with its rasp. It forced my eyes up toward the sound. As if my gaze had no choice in the matter.

It was a mistake, looking up.

The owner of the voice was unlike anyone I’d ever seen before. While he was young, probably about my age, he was massive. Even sitting down, I knew he’d tower over me. The T-shirt he wore skated over defined muscles. Muscles that told me he wasn’t someone you wanted to tangle with. Dark hair was buzzed close to his head, and a scar bisected his right eyebrow. But it was his eyes that held me captive.

Those eyes were unlike anything I’d ever seen. A golden amber so beautiful it stole your breath. But there was a coldness there that made me shiver, so opposed to the golden warmth of their color.

I felt the sudden urge to run. As if he were the predator and I were the prey.

I swallowed hard. “I-I like the turkey melt.”

The guy handed his menu to me. “I’ll take one of those. French fries. Coke.”

I took hold of the menu, but he didn’t let go. I tried not to tremble. “Did you need something else?”

He released the menu. “Nope.”

The moment I was free, I all but ran back to the kitchen.

Over time, I’d learned to trust my gut when it came to people. I had good instincts that had been crafted over years of pain. And my instincts were telling me now that the guy sitting in that booth, no matter how beautiful, could snap my neck with a flick of his wrist.

2

I WORRIED the side of my lip as I waited for the mystery man’s food to come up. Every few seconds, I’d steal a look at him. Sometimes I’d catch a glimpse of those golden amber eyes. Other times, the sharp jaw line. But it was the scar that entranced me most.

I had a million and one questions about it. How had he gotten it? Falling off his bike when he was a little kid? Or through some more twisted cause? A cause that matched the darkness that radiated off him.

It was more than a darkness, though. It was a brutality. And that knowledge had me swallowing hard.

A hand landed on my shoulder, and I jumped as I whirled.

Betsy frowned at me. “What’s gotten into you lately?”

I forced a laugh that sounded anything but authentic. “Just lost in my thoughts again.”

Those eyes of hers narrowed in that way that called bullshit. “Don’t forget to have Sal make you dinner before you leave.”

Warmth spread through me at that. As rough around the edges as Betsy could be, she cared. She was probably the only person in my life who did. She made sure I always had at least one good meal on the days I worked. She’d make excuses of buying too much of this or that and gave me the “extras”. And every Christmas and birthday, there was always something from her, the only thing I’d unwrap on those days.

“I will. Thanks, B.”

She just shook her head and moved toward the back office, not one for gratitude of any sort. It made her uncomfortable.

The bell on the server window dinged. “Order up,” Sal called as if I weren’t standing right there.

There it was, the turkey melt. I studied it for a moment, trying to decide if the brooding guy at table five would like it. If he didn’t, would he slice my throat right there?

I shoved the ridiculous thought from my head and grabbed the plate. I headed for his table, careful to avoid any patrons milling about. Sliding the plate into place, I kept my focus low, away from those amber eyes.

“Would you like anything else?” I asked softly.

There was no response.

My insides churned, and I forced my gaze up.

“What’s your name?”

My throat went dry. If he were some serial killer, I really shouldn’t be giving him any personal information, but I didn’t feel like I had any choice. “Leighton.” The word was barely audible, but it was there.

A muscle in his jaw ticked. As if just my name pissed him off.

“How long have you worked here?” he asked, voice gruff.

It was an odd question. Who cared how long I’d worked here? Was this his bizarre way of flirting? Questioning a suspect before he dispatched them to hell?

“Three years.”

There was the slightest lift of his brows at that. If I hadn’t been such a student of human nature, I would’ve missed it. The infinitesimal movement made his scar stand out that much more. “You would’ve been what? Fourteen?”

“Yes.”

Why did I keep answering him? It was as if I had no control over my own mouth anymore.

He scowled, his irises darkening, and I stumbled back a few steps.

Someone slammed into me, and I let out a soft cry as their broad form connected with the bruises on my side.

The guy at table five was on his feet in a flash, shoving the boy who had crashed into me. “Watch where you’re going.”

The boy was one I recognized from school. He was one I avoided like the plague because he was cruel. Brian. He snarled, about to snap something back, but then he caught sight of my defender and paled. “I didn’t see her, man.”

Table five guy glared at Brian. “Then you should pay better attention.”

Each word held barely restrained rage.

“Y-yeah, sure. Sorry.” Brian hurried away toward his group of friends.

Table five guy turned to me. He reached out as if he might touch me and then snatched his hand back. “Are you okay?”

I nodded rapidly. “Fine. I need to go check on something.”

I bolted for the hallway and slipped into the break room, my chest heaving. Panic started to grab hold, the edges of my vision darkening as I battled it back. Memories slammed into me. Punches. Slaps. The burn.

I dug my fingernails into my palms, the pain fighting back the memories. “I’m safe,” I whispered over and over until I could get myself under control.

Slowly, the darkness in my vision subsided, and I could breathe normally. I cringed at how freakish I’d been. I needed to apologize.

I hurried out of the break room and toward table five. But it was empty.

The sandwich sat on the table, untouched. And next to it were two one-hundred-dollar bills.

I quickly scanned the sidewalk, but my mysterious stranger was simply…gone.

Legacy of Shadows, book one in the Supernaturals of Castle Academy series is available for purchase HERE.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you so much for going on this wild elemental ride with me! It has been so fun to craft this world and live in it for a little while.

So many people have walked with me on this journey. A huge thank you to my editorial team, proofers, and cover designers. To the couple of early readers of this book, Sam, Monica, Crystal, and Lori, who gave me such valuable feedback and enthusiastic encouragement. And to my amazing writer friends who have cheered me on every step of the way.

But most of all, thank YOU! Yes, you, the reader of these pages. I’m so grateful you picked up this book.

ALSO BY TESSA HALE

The Shifting Fate Series

Fated Visions: A Shifting Fate Prequel Novella

Spark of Fate

Mark of Stars

Bond of Destiny

Royals of Kingwood Academy

The Lost Elemental

The Last Aether

The Queen of Quintessence

Supernaturals of Castle Academy

Legacy of Shadows

Anchor of Secrets

For up-to-date information on all Tessa Hale titles please visit tessahale.com.

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ABOUT TESSA HALE

Author of love stories with magic, usually with more than one love interest. Constant daydreamer.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Contents

Copyright

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Epilogue

Please Enjoy This Special Preview of Legacy of Shadows

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Acknowledgments

Also By Tessa Hale

Connect With Tessa

About Tessa Hale